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Spain must triple the number of lynx to avoid extinction, according to experts
The new Lorca lynx population is in a precarious situation with one animal dead and another missing
The lynx, the quintessential Iberian wildcat, is no longer considered an endangered species thanks to the tireless work of institutions, environmentalists, rural home owners and even hunters over the last two decades. But while the animal has come back from the brink, its survival is by no means certain and experts in Spain believe the next 20 years are crucial for the recovery of the lynx population.
The Doñana Biological Station and the Institute of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) have published a study with a battery of essential measures if this cat is to be definitively saved. The research carried out by the Doñana experts shows that for the lynx to avoid extinction, it is not enough for numbers to increase: the current trend of inbreeding must be broken, since this plagues the species with genetic weaknesses.
This is quite aside from the other threats facing the animal, such as the destruction of its natural habitat, road traffic accidents and the decline in the population of rabbits, its main food source.
Scientists believe that at least three conditions must be met to ensure the feline's genetic viability: growth of the population (and in particular the number of reproductive females), increase in settlement areas and connecting corridors between these areas to allow migration and interbreeding.
Specifically, the experts have pointed out that the lynx population of Spain, which numbered 1,668 last Christmas, needs to at least double, while the number of breeding females needs to triple. This should actually be feasible by 2040 assuming the current conservation efforts continue.
However, this work isn’t exactly going smoothly and the reintroduction of breeding pairs to the highlands of Lorca has been nothing short of disastrous so far.
One of the males, Tiko, died after ingesting a massive amount of plastic when he wandered into a built-up area and just last month Tejo was rushed to an animal sanctuary for intensive rehabilitation after losing 20% of his body weight. On top of this, staff still haven’t managed to locate female Torrealvilla, who slipped her GPS collar right beside a busy main road on June 20 and hasn’t been seen since.
A fourth lynx, Tahúlla, is still inside her approved zone and apparently doing well.
Meanwhile, two remaining breeding pairs are still in a smaller, temporary enclosure to get used to the surroundings before their ‘hard release’ into the wider countryside.
Image: CARM
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