THE IBERIAN LYNX

Conservation Projects

CBD-Habitat

CBD-Habitat Foundation implements projects dedicated to the recovery, conservation, and reintroduction of the Iberian lynx. These projects are executed through cooperation agreements (“land stewardship”) with private rural properties inhabited by the lynx and include activities that promote rabbit population expansion. 

Currently, the Foundation is a beneficiary partner of LIFE+IBERLINCE. For more information, click here (http://www.iberlince.eu/index.php/esp/)

Click here to learn more: “IBERIAN LYNX CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES”

Since 1999, we have worked to benefit the Iberian lynx, rabbit, and other Mediterranean forest species through the following projects:

Current projects


2019-2020

Collaboration Project with “The European Nature Trust”

Conservation of the Iberian Lynx in Andalucía and Extremadura

Collaborating entitiy:

Description:

“Conservation of Iberian Lynx populations in the Sierra de Andujar and Guarrizas (Andalusia) and Extremadura”

The European Nature Trust (TENT) is an international foundation to support nature conservation projects, which collaborates with Wandafilms-Wanda Natura, producer of well-known documentaries. Both entities collaborate with the projects of the CBD-Habitat Foundation. TENT dedicates its efforts to the protection of natural sites and the restoration of places of high environmental value affected by human activity.

www.theeuropeannaturetrust.com

2019-2021

Operating Program EP-INTERREG V Spain Portugal (POCTEC): “BIOTRANS” Proyect

Conservation of Endangered and Special Interest Carnivores in Extremadura. Subcontracted to CBD-Habitat.

Collaborating entities: 

Consejería para la Transición Ecológica y Sostenibilidad

Junta de Extremadura

Description:

Strengthening relationships between countries through joint development of managerial actions and habitat improvement for endangered carnivores in cooperation areas. Monitoring of populations. Joint actions of in situ awareness campaigns, training and engagement of communities residing in the various Iberian lynx and other carnivores territories. Protection and sustainable management of natural resources. Sustainable growth through cross-border cooperation for better management of natural resources. Protection and restoration of biodiversity and soils, and development of ecosystem services, particularly through the Natura 2000 Network and green infrastructures.


2020-2024

Proyect LIFE+Nature (porposal) “LYNXCONNECT”

“Connecting Iberian Lynx Populations to Ensure their Long-Term Demographic and Genetic Viability”: Creation of a large metapopulation of genetically viable Iberian lynx; ensuring genetic viability of populations through their connectivity. Beneficiary partner
Description and Objectives:
  • Management of metapopulations in a fragmented habitat
  •  Development of connection units – priority or key areas of connectivity
  • Consolidation of reintroduction areas, maintenance of existing populations, and creation of new populations: a globally managed metapopulation
  • Connection between areas where the lynx is present and reintroduction areas
  • Monitoring of connectivity
  • Permeabilization of infrastructures
  • Reduction of non-natural mortality. Analysis of accident blackspots and corrections
  • Genetic management and preservation of genetic diversity. In situ genetic monitoring
  • New methodologies for species monitoring
  • Strategic coordination with Iberlince I members and government entities
  • Strategic Communication Plan
  • Other: innovative measures to prevent roadkill; tourism issues; and socioeconomic development initiatives


2011-2018

Proyect LIFE+10/NAT/E/000570 «IBERLINCE»

Restoration of the Iberian Lynx to its historical range in the Iberian Peninsula. Beneficiary partner

Collaborating entities:

 
Description:

“Monitoring of lynx populations in the Sierra de Andujar (Jaén, Andalusia), and in the reintroduction areas of Guarrizas (Andalusia) and the Matachel Valley (Extremadura)”

In situ activities promoting the conservation of the Iberian lynx in areas where the existing population is expanding and in reintroduction areas in Andalusia and Extremadura, executed through cooperation agreements with private property owners. We monitor and protect 12,000 hectares covering 12 territories and containing more than 200 lynxes in Andalusia; and more than 60 lynxes in Extremadura. Specific activities include: food access improvement (of rabbit populations and supplementary feeding), protection and improvement of the lynxes’ habitat (Mediterranean forest), hazards elimination (illegal traps, poisons, dangerous infrastructures), and changes in social attitudes towards the presence of the species and its reintroduction.

www.iberlince.eu

Completed projects 1999–2017

2013-2015

«Best Practices for Managing the Conservation of Endangered Species in Mediterranean Forest Properties». Beneficiary

Collaborating entities: 

with the financial support of Fundación Biodiversidad and MAVA Foundation in Switzerland

Description:

Compatibility of the use of private property to generate socioeconomic benefits within the Natura 2000 network with conservation of endangered species in the Mediterranean forest. Specifically, the aim is to reduce unnatural deaths among non-game species related to entrapment in fences, to improve prey availability (wild rabbit) for key species (Iberian lynx, Iberian imperial eagle, and black vulture), and to disseminate best practices among specific stakeholders (managers, proprietors, hunters, and tourists).

Description:

In situ conservation efforts for Mediterranean forest priority species: Iberian imperial eagle, Bonelli’s eagle, black vulture, and Iberian lynx. Improvement of food availability (wild rabbit populations), protection and improvement of habitat (Mediterranean forest), surveillance and removal of hazards (electrocution, threats resulting from the application of European Community regulations related to spongiform encephalopathies control, usage of forbidden methods for capturing predators, and poison). Identification of best practices, development of dissemination material, and engagement of the private sector in conservation tasks.

web Priorimancha

2009-2014

LIFE+07/nat/e/000742″Priorimancha”

Conservation of Priority Species of the Castile La Mancha Mediterranean Forest. Beneficiary partner

Collaborating entities: 

The European Commission, Castile-La Mancha, General Directorate for Biodiversity-Spanish Ministry of Environment, partners.


2006-2011

Proyect LIFE06/NAT/E/000209

Conservation and Reintroduction of the Iberian Lynx in Andalusia. Beneficiary partne

Collaborating entities: The European Commission, General Directorate for Biodiversity-Spanish Ministry of Environment, partners

Description:

In situ activities promoting the conservation of the Iberian lynx in the range of the existing population and in reintroduction areas of Eastern Sierra Morena (Andalusia). Collaboration agreements with private property owners. Improvement of food availability (wild rabbit populations); habitat protection and

improvement (Mediterranean forest); removal of hazards (prohibited traps usage, poisons, dangerous infrastructures); change in social attitudes towards the presence of the species and its reintroduction. Habitat preparation for initial reintroduction programs.

Other Projects

2002-2006

Proyect Life02/NAT/E/008617

Conservation of the Iberian lynx in Montes de Toledo-Guadalmena. Beneficiary (The European Commission, General Directorate of Nature Conservation-Spanish Ministry of Environment).

2002-2006

Proyect Life02/NAT/E/008609

Restoration of the Iberian lynx populations in Andalusia. Beneficiary partner (The European Commission, General Directorate of Nature Conservation-Spanish Ministry of Environment, and other partners).

1999-2002

Proyect Life99/NAT/E/003663

Conservation of the imperial eagle, the black vulture, the black stork, and the Iberian lynx in private properties in Extremadura and Castile-La Mancha. Beneficiary (The European Commission, General Directorate of Nature Conservation-Spanish Ministry of Environment)

2009.

«Restoration of iconic species of the Mediterranean forest in central Spain».  Obra Social Caja Madrid. Beneficiary.

2008-2009.

«Improvement of the status and habitat of endangered species through land stewardship and awareness campaigns targeting impacted sectors».

What are we doing for their recovery?

Cooperation agreements

The Iberian lynx’s distribution area is primarily within private properties. Proprietors’ participation in the project is formalized through signing Collaboration Agreements that include the execution of habitat improvement and management measures, as well as efforts to effectively protect the lynx.

Monitoring Iberian lynx populations

The CBD-Habitat Foundation team has been monitoring the Iberian lynx since 1999 with the goal of determining the species’ presence, its use of the habitat, and the incidence rate of possible risk factors (poaching, habitat alteration and destruction, the state of rabbit populations, etc.) To this end, monitoring techniques such as camera trapping are used (camera traps are installed to monitor lynx populations and other species).

Improving habitat management

Food availability is one of the most important factors for the lynx’s survival. Therefore, the recovery of its primary prey’s population, the wild rabbit, is indispensable for lynx population sustainment and growth.

Directing and monitoring efforts to coordinate and manage the lynx habita

Lynx habitat improvement efforts and wild rabbit population management are both under constant analysis and evaluation. Based on findings obtained, a Handbook on Managing the Habitat of the Lynx and Its Main Prey, the Scrubland Rabbit (Spanish) was developed and made available to managers and property owners.

Information and awareness

The aim of information campaigns is to raise awareness among people coexisting with the lynx regarding the situation in which lynx populations find themselves (i.e., in danger of extinction) and encourage a positive and collaborative attitude. Activities conducted include development of materials for dissemination, advertising programs, debates, journal article publication, communications in academic media, website postings, seminars, etc…

Iberian Lynx photo gallery