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At the technical conference “The Iberian lynx looking to the future”, held within the framework of the LIFE Eurolarge Carnivores project, it was proposed to achieve a favorable conservation status of the species with at least 750 territorial females. To this end, it is necessary to create at least eight new populations, incorporating new regions to the reintroduction programs, and to carry out an Iberian rabbit census for a correct planning of the management of the populations.

The importance of this project lies in the fact that it is fully in line with the objectives proposed in this technical workshop. In addition, it will follow the methodology described by Iberlince in all objectives, in the census of rabbits, study of black spots (roadkill and poaching), monitoring of transmissible diseases, study of the degree of acceptance of the lynx and the environmental education program on biodiversity.

The general objective of the project has been to analyze the critical points – rabbit density, health safety, human-related hazards and social acceptance – in order to evaluate areas susceptible to hosting Iberian lynx reintroductions in the eastern peninsular.

This work has focused on eight Natura 2000 Network areas between the Valencian Community and Castilla La Mancha, where predictive models indicate favorable habitats.

Specific goals include:

• To study the density of rabbits (following the IberLince methodology) in the 8 study areas (2 in the minimum and 2 in the maximum seasons).
• To study the health status of the rabbit populations in the 8 study areas.
• To study the health status of wild carnivore populations (foxes, genets, martens, etc.) in the 8 study areas.
• To study the health status of feral animal populations (feral cats) in the 8 study areas.
• To study the dangers posed by human activity to the Iberian lynx in the study areas.
• To study the degree of acceptance of the establishment of the Iberian lynx in the population of the study areas among the groups of influence.
• Raise public awareness for the conservation of biodiversity, specifically the Iberian lynx and the rabbit (the main food source of the Iberian lynx).
• Conduct awareness days on the importance of biodiversity, both at the university and in schools in the areas under study.
• Determine which areas are optimal for the reintroduction of the Iberian lynx.
• Coordination with public administrations, landowners, the Iberian Lynx Working Group of the Wildlife Committee and other projects studying the species.

• Conducting rabbit censuses.
• Training volunteers to carry out rabbit censuses.
• Conducting large-scale rabbit censuses according to IberLince methodology.
• Carrying out detailed census of rabbits in the squares (10 x 10) that are considered the best candidates, taking into account the results of the large-scale census and effort.
• Evaluate the health status of rabbits, wild carnivores and feral cats.
• Examine the road system in the study areas to estimate the risk of roadkill according to the IberLince methodology.
• Conduct acceptance surveys of the establishment of the Iberian lynx among the groups of influence.
• Conduct awareness days on the importance of biodiversity, both at the university and in schools in the areas under study.
• Interpret the results obtained throughout the project and elaborate a proposal for Iberian lynx reintroduction areas.
• Periodic meetings with the public administrations involved.
• Management, coordination and administration.
• Develop procedures to ensure the environmental sustainability (carbon footprint calculation, waste minimization management) of the project.
• Dissemination and communication of the project.

• A survey has been carried out of the most suitable areas in the east of the peninsula where the Iberian lynx could be reintroduced. For this purpose, the methodology indicated by the IberLince project was followed, studying the abundance of rabbits and their health status, as well as that of the carnivores present and feral cats.
• Study of the degree of acceptance of possible future reintroductions, by means of surveys of local populations, and dissemination days have been held in the localities about the project. The results have been communicated to the competent administrations of the Valencian Community and Castilla La Mancha, as well as to the town councils of the municipalities in the study areas.
• According to the results obtained, the areas of Sierra del Mugrón, Hoces del Cabriel, Alto Turia-Sierra del Negrete-Lavajos de Sinarcas and, to a lesser extent, Sierra Calderona are suitable for the Iberian lynx.