Iberian Lynx

[Jelle van Aalst]

I just got back from Donana where I came across these pawprints. Can anybody confirm these are from Iberian lynx? I find it hard to ID them, especially because I did not measure them (stupid!). In the same area are Genet and wild cat present as well, which resemble the lynx pawprints. Anyone?

Thanks!

Jelle van Aalst
The Netherlands

[nick]

Hi Jelle,

But can you give us a rough idea of size in comparison to say a domestic cat? Domestic cats and wild cats (in Doñana?) are similar but much smaller. Genets are also small but sometimes mark fifth paw which I can't see.


Check out these pics:

http://www.vivelanaturaleza.com/naturalista/huellas.php

The last ones seem to have claw marks which would suggest more a canine - but very soft sand might make a difference? Or is it from another animal?

[Jelle van Aalst]

That's why it is so stupid of me to not measure the prints or put something next to it for comparison! I can't recollect the rough size of them! By looking at the leaves on the pictures (Populus alba at the first picture and Populus nigra at the last one), I imaging the prints to be roughly 6-8 cm in length (which could point at lynx). On the last picture I think there are also canine marks present (wild dogs are also present at the site, abandoned by their owners_I've seen two chasing birds), next to a shoeprint (mine?)). But in the last picture I think there are also feline marks present. Although not clearly visible, the first picture could show a fifth paw (top mark, right side), which could turn out to be Genet(?).

Furthermore wild cats are also present in Donana. Take a look at this handy PDF file:

http://www.flumen.upc.es/Donana/Chap7.pdf

[nick]

Latest from blog:
http://www.iberianature.com/spainblog/2009/04/latest-lynx-news/

This year’s Iberian lynx captive breeding programme is going well. Here is a quick round-up the latest figures.

11 females have so far given birth to cubs . There are now 19 surviving cubs born this year, 17 of which are being raised by their mothers and 2 are in intensive care at  El Acebuche. More details here

http://www.lynxexsitu.es/comunicacion/noticias/noticias.php

On the negative side, I’d missed this bad news from Doñana in March reported on Dan Ward’s Lynxblog.

    Theo, a seven year old female lynx, pregnant with two cubs, was killed by a motor vehicle on 13 March on a road between Algodonera and Laguna de San Lázaro, within the Doñana protected area. This incident follows a number of similar lynx deaths in the area in recent years, including just six months ago when a lynx was runover on the busy Almonte - Matalascañas road alongside the National Park. Moreover, Theo was killed on an agricultural road that had been recently re-surfaced and upgraded to allow traffic to drive much more quickly. Read complete article

http://lynxnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/pregnant-lynx-runover-in-donana.html

[nick]

Latest Lynx brief from Dan Ward

This edition includes news about the Iberian Lynx captive breeding programme, the use of poison in Spain, and proposals for lynx reintroductions “, it is hoped that proposed lynx reintroductions of between 20-40 individuals per year can begin in 2010. Essential reading.

http://www.iberianature.com/material/documents/LynxBrief13E.pdf

[nick]

The first Iberian lynx has returned to Portugal after twenty years as part of the captive breeding programme. Watch video and report in Portuguese with interview (in Spanish) with iberianatureforummer Iñigo Sanchez of Jerez Zoo, from where the female lynx, Azahar, was taken.

http://www.iberianature.com/spainblog/2009/10/lynx-back-in-portugal/

[lisa]

Very sad news. I've just found out that two female lynx were found dead last week (within 48 hrs) in Donaña; one in the Coto del Rey and the other in the Coto de Pilar. Both cats were around 4/5 years old and hence of huge value reproduction-wise. The latest on the autopsy on the first gives death from an infectious disease, nothing yet on the second.
Sorry I haven't time to give links to the stories, a search on google.es for lince under noticias will do it.

[Clive]

Sad indeed..... The second lynx has gone off for autopsy and was it seems fitted with a radio collar

Técnicos de la Consejería de Medio Ambiente han localizado hoy el cadáver de una hembra de lince ibérico en el entorno del Espacio Natural de Doñana, el segundo que se halla en menos de 48 horas.

El lince es una hembra adulta de 5 años que ha sido localizada gracias a que portaba un collar radioemisor que alertó a los técnicos encargados de su seguimiento.

El cadáver ha sido trasladado al Centro de Análisis y Diagnóstico de la Fauna Silvestre (CAD) para que se le practique una necropsia que aclare las causas de esta muerte.

With regards to Nicks post above about Azahar going to Portugal and with great respect to my friend Iñigo the move of this lynx comes with mixed blessings for Portuga as this is the female prone to phantom pregnancies and so far has proven herself to be unviable for breeding... Mayby the Portugal project will have more success and find out why she doesn't get pregnant...

[nick]

Latest
http://www.iberianature.com/spainblog/2009/12/latest-lynx-news-2/

The transfer of captive Iberian lynx from Spain to Portgual has been completed with the arrival of two males, bringing to a total of 16 animals (11 males and 5 females) at the new breeding centre in Silves in the Algarve.

According to the latest figures from the Andalucian government, there are now some 223 lynxes in the wild in Andalucia, 63 in Doñana and 160 in the Sierra Morena. This is remarkable increase from the low point of an estimated 120 animals in 2004 (42 in Doñana and 78 in Sierra Morena). This year 21 cubs were raised in Doñaña with a total of 16 female territories. As far I know, these total figures do not include the 15 odd animals recently discovered in Castilla-La Mancha.

As for the recent deaths of two female lynxes, it seems that a violent death has been ruled out in both cases. El País

[Vicente Malagon]

Hi Nick.

I can confirm you some details about Lynxes in Castilla-La Mancha. First of all there is a small population of Lynxes in the Ciudad Real province, just north of Cardeña Natural Park. I think that this place is very well known for many people, but it's better not to talk about it in the web. Perhaps the 15th lynxes filmed in La Mancha are there, but I'm not very sure about that, cause there are other places capable of support lynxes nowadays.

The other news are that the government is preparing Cabañeros National Park to shelter lynxes. In the last few months they have built over 500 burrows for Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), they need the Rabbits to come back to the park cause Cabañeros isn't the best place for this small mammal. The formerly and best habitats for the Iberian Lynx (Calatrava, Mudela and Montiel, all of them in Ciudad Real) are not prepared for shelter the big cat due to hunters and poachers pressure.

Vicente.

[nick]

Thanks for this update Vicente and interesting detail on plans for Carboñeros. I dodn't know they had done so much.

Totally agree with not mentioning specific places.

[nick]

Dan Ward's latest lynx brief is out. Essential reading

Topics:

First Iberian Lynx Reintroductions
Portuguese Breeding Centre Update
Situation for wild lynx in Andalucía
Challenging Predator Control
Volunteering for the Iberian Lynx

http://www.iberianature.com/material/documents/LynxBrief14E.pdf

[Technopat]

Greetings All,
Just a quick RIP for Garfio, the stud lynx who was captured in 2003 and begat the first brood (?) of baby lynx bred in captivity in Spain - Brecina, Brezo and Brisa - and another eight baby lynx since then.

"
Muere 'Garfio', padre de la primera camada de linces en cautividad" El País

The authentic macho ibérico?
Regs.,
Technopat

[nick]

Couldn't resist paraphrasing you there TP

http://www.iberianature.com/spainblog/2010/02/death-of-the-macho-iberico/

[Vicente Malagon]

Hi.

There is another Lynx victim of a run down:

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/12/30/ciencia/1262189418.html

It was last December, during the heavy rains in the Ciudad Real province. San Lorenzo de Calatrava and Huertezuelas are scattering areas for young Lynxes. Forty years ago the Iberian Lynx was very common in this area, but it disappear in a few years during some reforesting works in Sierra Morena.

Vicente.

[nick]

I wonder if this was one of the lynxes which which was "discovered" last year in Castilla-La Mancha, or whether it was dispersing from Andujar. The article suggests both are possible...

[Albert]

I know it´s a long shot, but I´m thinking of visiting the Sierra Morena in search of Iberian Lynx (and all plants and animals that I can find of course  ) and I was wondering if the end of March is a good time to try. Or are other times of the year more promising? Or is it a long shot any time of year?

I heard some people say that march to may is the best time, while others claim that it's the worst time because the females have their young. Any thoughts on this?

[lisa]

My friend Jules has been spotting lynx lately  http://www.olivaramatours.com/index.html

[nick]

Direct link is here:

http://olivaramatours.blogspot.com/

[Vicente Malagon]

Hi Albert.

January and February are the best months for spot the Iberian Lynx. I think that March-April-May could be fine as well, but chances are reduced as females are breeding their cubs. BUT, this 3 spring months in Sierra Morena are exceptional in all senses for flowers and wildlife. My advice is, if you are looking for Lynxes, go early in the year; if your are looking for everything, go in late spring, won't be disappointed.

And, if you have time enough, try to pay a visit to the very close Valle de Alcudia. The north part of Sierra Morena is one of the most amazing and nice places in central Spain.

Vicente.