The Iberian lynx population in Spain shows steady, noticeable improvement and is expanding across several autonomous communities. In Castilla-La Mancha, the lynx population is estimated at 582 individuals, with 223 cubs born in 2022, according to José Luis Escudero, regional councilor for Sustainable Development.
During a release at the El Borril farm, a pair of one-year-old lynxes born in 2022 were located in Polán. The male, Tempo, comes from the National Iberian Lynx Reproduction Center in Silves, Portugal, and the female, Tesla, is connected to the Junta de Andalucía Prisoner Breeding Center in La Olivilla, Jaén.
These two lynxes were released at the Montes de Toledo resettlement site last week, with a third to be released at the eastern Sierra Morena site in the coming weeks. These releases are the only ones planned for 2023, as reported by the Ministry of Sustainable Development in a press release describing Castilla-La Mancha’s role in the European program Life Lynx Connect.
Escudero noted that the positive progress of the resettlement project lays the groundwork for the lynx recovery in the region. He reflected that eight years have passed since the first Iberian lynxes were introduced under the Life Iberlince project, and the efforts in Castilla-La Mancha have helped establish the species in three stable areas of presence.
Castilla-La Mancha currently shows a lynx population of around 582 individuals.
Noting that more than 118 specimens have been released in Castilla-La Mancha since 2014, Escudero highlighted that the current pair participates in a new phase of the Life Lynx Connect initiative, which aims to connect existing populations, create linkages, and reduce threats to the species.
In 2022, a total of 223 cubs were born in the autonomous community, with 107 in Montes de Toledo. This milestone marks a historic moment in the conservation of the species, according to Escudero.
223 cubs born in 2022
Monitoring by environmental agents and technicians has shown at least 84 wild litters, totaling 223 cubs: 107 in Montes de Toledo, 65 in the eastern Sierra Morena, 47 in the western Sierra Morena, and four in Albacete state.
The regional population is distributed among 112 settled females: 53 in Montes de Toledo, 37 in Sierra Morena Oriental, 21 in Sierra Morena Occidental, and one in Albacete. The overall Castilla-La Mancha lynx population reaches 359 adults and offspring, with 223 individuals over one year old. The cubs born in 2022 contribute to pushing the population count beyond 582 individuals.
Escudero emphasized that the regional government has adapted to the recovery of a species endemic to the area. He added that the species, once extinct in the region, has met the targets set with the Iberian Lynx Rehabilitation Plan launched in 2003, and that critical areas for the species have been declared sensitive. He also noted that the efforts align with the goals of various Life projects such as Priorimancha, Iberlince, and Life Lynx Connect.
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