The Iberian lynx is expanding its reconquest of the peninsula, with targets increasingly located farther north. The next challenge lies in Aragon, the southernmost autonomous community slated to host the relocation effort as its lynx population continues to grow each year. The plan centers on reintroducing a viable population in selected Aragonese landscapes where wild cats historically vanished, with attention to ecological balance and the long-term survival of this emblematic species.
The Aragonese Ministry of Environment and Tourism announced the initiation of the formal administrative process that will enable the release of the first specimens by late November. The information and citizen participation phase opens to gather input from communities, local governments, experts, and residents. The aim is to reintroduce Lynx pardinus into two Aragonese natural areas located on opposite sides of the Ebro valley, ensuring genetic diversity and resilience in the new population.
Lynxes in Los Monegros
One reintroduction site is the Sierra de Alcubierre area in the Monegros region, a landscape shaped by steppe and semi-arid conditions that can support prey species and suitable cover. The other site lies in the Huerva basin, spanning between Campo de Cariñena, Campo de Belchite, and the central Zaragoza zone, where connectivity and habitat quality could sustain expanding lynx territories. Each location brings unique ecological opportunities and management challenges that require coordinated effort among conservation bodies and land users.
A young lynx was released in Andalusia, illustrating the phased approach used in neighboring regions and highlighting the practical steps involved in acclimating animals to new environments. Such releases are part of a broader strategy that relies on careful monitoring, veterinary checks, and adaptive management to maximize survival and reproduction in the wild.
Throughout the information and citizen participation process, city councils, hunting associations, farmers, and environmental groups will be consulted to obtain opinions and practical suggestions. Public engagement helps align conservation goals with local interests, ensuring that habitat protection, livestock coexistence, and community benefits are balanced. Transparent dialogue also builds trust and improves the likelihood of long-term success for the reintroduction program.
The Government of Aragon emphasizes that experiences from other autonomous communities where lynxes have already been reintroduced, such as Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, and Murcia, offer valuable lessons. The presence of the species in those regions is a result of long-standing human activities, including agriculture, livestock management, and hunting practices. By learning from these cases, Aragon seeks to minimize risks and maximize ecological compatibility while fostering coexistence with rural livelihoods.
Reintroducing the lynx to Aragon would mark a milestone in the species’ recovery and resilience. The lynx once inhabited Aragon but disappeared in the mid-20th century due to habitat loss, prey scarcity, and human pressures. Restoring a foothold for this predator restores a key component of the region’s ecological balance, potentially benefitting biodiversity and ecosystem services in surrounding habitats while inspiring continued conservation efforts across the country.
The process remains careful and incremental, underpinned by scientific monitoring, habitat restoration, and collaboration with landowners to ensure suitable corridors and protected zones. Decisions will be based on evidence from population genetics, prey availability, disease risk, and human-wildlife conflict mitigation. The ultimate goal is to create a robust, self-sustaining lynx population that can flourish without ongoing intervention, while contributing to broader regional conservation networks and climate-resilient landscapes.
Notes on public access and soundtrack of planning exist to maintain openness. The environmental department continues to evaluate management strategies, with ongoing assessments of habitat suitability, corridor connectivity, and wildlife welfare. All findings will be published in accessible formats to inform both citizens and stakeholders about progress and evolving plans for the Aragon reintroduction initiative.