Linea Directa 200 LEFT COL CAR INSURANCE

PROPERTY SEARCH

DomusVi Ciudad de Murcia residential cross content 1200

Date Published: 13/12/2021

ARCHIVED - Spain celebrates World Lynx Day and vows to conserve the population

ARCHIVED ARTICLE

Lynx numbers in Spain need to triple in order to ensure the survival of the species

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Spain celebrates World Lynx Day and vows to conserve the population

One of the most emblematic species in Spain, the Iberian lynx was on the brink of extinction at the beginning of this century as a result of poaching and the degradation of the natural environment. Now, thanks to the tireless conservation work of the ‘20Lince40’ project, the current population throughout Spain stands at around 1,100 big cats, more than twenty times the number two decades ago.

However, as Spain celebrated World Lynx Day on Sunday December 12, the environmental organisation WWF took the opportunity to stress that, if these animals are to be properly protected, their numbers will have to be tripled. To this end, the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge are working with the WWF to increase the species, and the groups have acknowledged that it is "essential to reach at least 3,000-3,500 individuals, of which 750 should be breeding females” to move the Iberian lynx out of the danger zone.

In the last twenty years, the Iberian lynx population has boomed in Andalucía, Extremadura and Castilla La Mancha, while the Region of Murcia agreed just last week to begin reintroducing the animals in the municipality of Lorca, where they were once found in great numbers.

The main cause of mortality today continues to be road accidents, which caused more than 40 deaths last year alone in Spain, in addition to poaching.

The WWF has highlighted the resilience of the Iberian lynx, which has clawed its way back from a critical situation over the years. However, the species continues to be in danger of extinction all over the world, making the conservation work currently being carried out in Spain vitally important.

Image: WWF

Linea Directa Bottom Article M-Z CAR INSURANCE

Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox

Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)