Iberian Lynx

[Albert]

Thanks for all the info!!!!
We´ll be there mid march so we might be lucky. I´ll let you know on the forum after we get back  Good to know the flowers are early there and of course on better weather than the snow and ice we have here now......

[nick]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/7300582/Spanish-woman-leaves-3m-euros-to-Iberian-lynx.html
Spanish woman leaves 3m euros to Iberian lynx
A Spanish woman left three million euros (£2.6 million) in her will to help protect the Iberian lynx.
The woman bequeathed a total of nine million euros to animal charities, one-third of which is to go to the lynxes, local authorities in Spain's southern Andalucia region said on Tuesday.
The Madrid newspaper El Pais said the woman died in October 2008 in Spain's Canary Islands at the age of 60, but that little else was known about her.

[nick]

A couple of bad pieces of news, particularly the first:

http://www.iberianature.com/spainblog/category/iberian-lynx/

1

Three Iberian lynx have been run over in the last month in Doñana, one of the worst figures for years. The latest animal was a male found dead on the road connecting Matalascañas with El Rocíos. He is thought to have been dispersing in search of new territories. Almost three lynxes a year (26 in total) have been killed since 2000…And three in a single month is an utter disater. Clearly the traffic signs aren’t sufficient.

2
Three Iberian lynxes of the captive breeding programme have died in recent weeks from a renal disease. Lynxes in the wild are thought not to suffer from this disease.

[Clive]

Clearly the traffic signs aren’t sufficient.

I have been to this area many times (never seen a lynx there but not for the want of trying....) and the "system" of fences and road changes that have cost millions are utterly pointless and worst of all stupid. I have no idea why the people in charge think that fencing the roadsides would have helped anything.... When a lynx does get onto the road by jumping a fence it cant get off the road side untill it finds a tree stump or other object placed there by the "clever" people.... Sorry but as far as I am concerned, the 28 million last year was a waste of cash.

[lisa]

I've only been there once and that was enough. Whoever passed/certified the environmental assessment that decided that the lynx only crossed in certain points needs running over by a big truck.

[nick]

http://www.iberianature.com/spainblog/2010/03/serious-blow-to-lynx-breeding-project/
The captive Iberian lynx breeding project has been dealt a serious blow with the expected death in the next year of ten Iberian lynxes from renal disease. Four animals have already died, and 40% of the captive population of 70 have the disease, which has no cure. Breeding pairs have been reduced from 27 to just 9, and so far only 2 cubs have been born, with only ten forecast for the season. Project head Astrid Vargas has affirmed that the deaths will not put a stop to the programme.

[Vicente Malagon]

Really bad news Nick. They ought to redouble efforts if want the Lynx to have a chance in the next future.

Vicente.

[nick]

Yes, bad news.

The only positive side is lynx in Sierra Morena are doing well which in the end is the most important thing.