The Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) today announced the release into nature of one of the lynx born at the special breeding unit in Silves. This brings the total number of lynx bred in captivity and released in Spain to 37.
The ICNF said the latest lynx to be released, named Junípero, was released in the Guadalmellato area in Cordoba, southern Spain.
Of the 37 animals released to date, 12 were born in the Silves breeding unit with six of the going to the Guadalmellato zone and the remaining six in the Guarrizas area in Jaén, also in Andalucia.
The release of lynx into nature began in Spanish territory in February 2011 with the release of two, named Granadilla and Grazalema. In the last breeding season in 2013 the programme had 23 breeding pairs which should be sufficient to produce the targeted number of young.
Of the 23 pairs, 18 successfully procreated, producing 53 offspring, 44 of which lived. Most of these young animals will be releases during 2014.
So far lynx have been released only in Andalucia, but the goal is to extend the introduction of lynx to other Spanish regions and also to Portugal.
