PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
According to IUCN, the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most endangered feline species in the world. This medium-sized cat (8-14 kg) lives in areas characterised by a mixture of dense woodland, Mediterranean scrub and pasture, especially areas with an abundance of rabbits and where interference from humans is minimal. The species is endemic to the Iberian peninsula and, until the 14th century, could be found in all areas across Spain and Portugal.
Since that time, and particularly in recent decades, its population and distribution area suffered an alarming decline. A general census carried out in 1989 estimated that there were only around 1 000 – 1 200 individuals left. The bulk of the remaining population was restricted to parts of south western Spain, with a few individuals in Portugal.
The most important threat to the lynx has been reduced food availability. Rabbits make up around 80% of the lynx’s diet and these suffered a heavy decline through severe epidemics of myxomatosis and haemorrhagic disease. The transformation and destruction of lynx habitat also reduced and fragmented its distribution to only 48 small populations, of which only eight contained more than 25 individuals. Important additional non-natural causes of mortality include accidental deaths from trapping and collisions with cars.
This project is part of an overall multi-beneficiaries, multi-annual approach involving five regional governments, a national authority and a research institution. The relevant projects are:
LIFE94 NAT/E/004811 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004818 (Andalusia);
LIFE94 NAT/E/004814 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004815 (Extremadura);
LIFE94 NAT/E/004813 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004816 (Castilla la Mancha);
LIFE94 NAT/E/001186 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004817 (Castile and Leon);
LIFE94 NAT/E/004808 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004821 (Madrid);
LIFE94 NAT/E/004810 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004819 (National Directorate General for Nature Conservation);
LIFE94 NAT/E/004809 and LIFE95 NAT/E/004820 (CSIC – the Higher Council for Scientific Research).
OBJECTIVES
All the projects operating under the joint approach aimed to work towards combating the main threats affecting the Iberian lynx to guarantee the future long-term viability of the species. They sought to collectively increase understanding of the species and its needs, raise awareness of the threats to the species and start recovery and conservation of its habitat and a reduction in mortality.
The 1994 and 1995 projects in Extremadura specifically planned to conduct studies and inventories of the lynx and its use of habitat and ecological corridors etc to increase understanding the current situation for the species in the region. They foresaw the elaboration of a coherent management plan for the species and the implementation of measures to increase the rabbit population to improve the conditions for the lynx. These actions would be supported by monitoring and surveillance as well as public awareness programmes and information campaigns aimed mainly at the local population and hunters.
RESULTS
Overall, the LIFE lynx projects dated 1994&1995 made a significant contribution to increasing knowledge and understanding of the Iberian lynx. They helped increase awareness of the needs and current situation of the species and laid the foundations for the potential long-term recovery of the species. The actions undertaken by the different partners and new possible solutions to the problems affecting the species were discussed periodically at Steering Committee meetings. They contributed to a National Strategy for lynx conservation, which was adopted by the National Commission on Nature Protection in February 1999.
The Extremadura projects successfully increased regional knowledge and understanding of Lynx pardinus and developed a coherent regional recovery plan for the species. They implemented initial measures to benefit the species and contributed to the overall national lynx strategy.
A detailed inventory of lynx was carried out as a first step in the project. It covered those areas included in the previous census (1988) and some other potential areas with suitable habitat. Data was collected on the presence and abundance of lynx and rabbits as well as information on the habitat and threats. The study estimated the presence of about 100 lynx in Extremadura, in 10 fragmented nuclei that correspond to three bigger populations that existed in the past in this region:
Sierra de Gata - including four areas with stable presence of the lynx: Cilleros, Gata, Santa Cruz and Granadilla. Total surface: 554 Km2. Population: 31-42 lynxes. Trend: stable.
Sierra de San Pedro - including two unconnected nuclei (Cedillo and San Pedro). Total surface: 400 km2. Population: 20-39 lynxes. Trend: declining.
Central, including four separate nuclei (Monfragüe, Las Villuercas, Cíjara and Herrera del Duque). Total surface: 600 km2. Population: 22-29 lynxes. Trend: serious regression since 1988.
This work confirmed a considerable reduction in numbers of lynx, which seemed to be mainly caused by a preceding drop in the rabbit populations. The habitat remained fairly well conserved. The total surface area occupied by the lynx in the region was estimated to be 1 560 km2. The study provided the necessary information to implement the rest of the project actions as well as adopt a first draft lynx Recovery Plan for the region.
Recovery actions in the field focused on increasing the availability of rabbit prey by improving rabbit habitat. To restore grasslands favoured by rabbits, the projects sowed 38 ha, cleared bush from 46 ha and fertilised soils. Further help was provided by constructing artificial burrows, 28 fenced areas and ponds, and introducing 36 cage-traps to control predators. These target areas were restocked with rabbits and radio-tracking techniques tested to monitor success. Although rabbit numbers remained low, at least 40 new nuclei of rabbit populations were established in different areas in Gata-Granadilla, Sierra de San Pedro and Monfragüe.
Awareness raising actions included talks with local hunters associations in 15 villages in the area of Gata-Granadilla, a travelling exhibition and distribution of T-shirts and a book containing an illustrated tale on the Lynx.
To promote long-term recovery of the species, 100% of the lynx current distribution area in Extremadura and 80% of its potential distribution area were proposed as SCI by the end of the projects. This covered more than 200 000 ha in 9 pSCIs: Sierra de Gata, Las Hurdes, Mingorro-Los Robledos, Cedillo-Tajo Internacional, Sierra de San Pedro, Monfragüe, Sierra de las Villuercas, Sierra de Altamira and García Sola-Golondrinos.Overall, the LIFE lynx projects dated 1994&1995 made a significant contribution to increasing knowledge and understanding of the Iberian lynx. They helped increase awareness of the needs and current situation of the species and laid the foundations for the potential long-term recovery of the species. The actions undertaken by the different partners and new possible solutions to the problems affecting the species were discussed periodically at Steering Committee meetings. They contributed to a National Strategy for lynx conservation, which was adopted by the National Commission on Nature Protection in February 1999.
The Extremadura projects successfully increased regional knowledge and understanding of Lynx pardinus and developed a coherent regional recovery plan for the species. They implemented initial measures to benefit the species and contributed to the overall national lynx strategy.
A detailed inventory of lynx was carried out as a first step in the project. It covered those areas included in the previous census (1988) and some other potential areas with suitable habitat. Data was collected on the presence and abundance of lynx and rabbits as well as information on the habitat and threats. The study estimated the presence of about 100 lynx in Extremadura, in 10 fragmented nuclei that correspond to three bigger populations that existed in the past in this region:
Sierra de Gata - including four areas with stable presence of the lynx: Cilleros, Gata, Santa Cruz and Granadilla. Total surface: 554 Km2. Population: 31-42 lynxes. Trend: stable.
Sierra de San Pedro - including two unconnected nuclei (Cedillo and San Pedro). Total surface: 400 km2. Population: 20-39 lynxes. Trend: declining.
Central, including four separate nuclei (Monfragüe, Las Villuercas, Cíjara and Herrera del Duque). Total surface: 600 km2. Population: 22-29 lynxes. Trend: serious regression since 1988.
This work confirmed a considerable reduction in numbers of lynx, which seemed to be mainly caused by a preceding drop in the rabbit populations. The habitat remained fairly well conserved. The total surface area occupied by the lynx in the region was estimated to be 1 560 km2. The study provided the necessary information to implement the rest of the project actions as well as adopt a first draft lynx Recovery Plan for the region.
Recovery actions in the field focused on increasing the availability of rabbit prey by improving rabbit habitat. To restore grasslands favoured by rabbits, the projects sowed 38 ha, cleared bush from 46 ha and fertilised soils. Further help was provided by constructing artificial burrows, 28 fenced areas and ponds, and introducing 36 cage-traps to control predators. These target areas were restocked with rabbits and radio-tracking techniques tested to monitor success. Although rabbit numbers remained low, at least 40 new nuclei of rabbit populations were established in different areas in Gata-Granadilla, Sierra de San Pedro and Monfragüe.
Awareness raising actions included talks with local hunters associations in 15 villages in the area of Gata-Granadilla, a travelling exhibition and distribution of T-shirts and a book containing an illustrated tale on the Lynx.
To promote long-term recovery of the species, 100% of the lynx current distribution area in Extremadura and 80% of its potential distribution area were proposed as SCI by the end of the projects. This covered more than 200 000 ha in 9 pSCIs: Sierra de Gata, Las Hurdes, Mingorro-Los Robledos, Cedillo-Tajo Internacional, Sierra de San Pedro, Monfragüe, Sierra de las Villuercas, Sierra de Altamira and García Sola-Golondrinos.