According to a census carried out annually by the European Life Project for the conservation of this feline, the Iberian lynx population on the Iberian Peninsula reached 2,021 individuals in 2023, compared to 1,668 in the previous year.
This census was developed by the LynxConnect project and coordinated by the Andalusian Junta, which brings together several autonomous communities and Portugal.
Data shows that in Portugal’s Guadiana Valley there were 53 breeding females, 100 pups and a total of 291 individuals last year.
In Spain, in Andalusia, the population of Doñana Aljarafe increased from 108 to 130 people.
In Andújar Cardeña the number increased from 268 to 271, in Guadalmellato from 40 to 41, and in Guarrizas from 167 to 201 lynxes.
Setefilla’s population increased from nine to 11, Las Minas fell from 17 to 11, Guasurejos from one to three, and the new Sierra Arana population, feeding primarily through reintroduction, increased from five to 13 individuals in 2023.
In total, the Andalusian population numbers 686 individuals from 2021, including 406 breeding females and 722 calves.
The lynx was considered endangered at the beginning of the century, when only a hundred specimens remained, and only in Andalusia.
This Friday, as Life reports, “an unknown number of people have spread across the Iberian Peninsula, some even settling in areas not initially covered by conservation efforts.”
Such natural settlements include Extremadura de Ortiga (nine examples) and Valdecañas (10). Also La Jara, which in 2023 will join Las Minas, Setefilla, Ibores, Rio Sotillo, Valdesigueñas, Guazurejos and Cornalvo as natural habitats for this species.
Life highlights that the “upward trend” in lynx numbers continues, with dispersed movements from different areas of stable presence and extending across the undefined surface of the peninsula.
During 2023, the Lynxconnect project released 34 bobcats into reintroduction areas established through previous Life projects and at selected locations.
In terms of mortality, 189 Iberian lynx deaths were recorded last year, with one of the most identified causes being run-over, which now affects 7% of the total population, up from 6% last year.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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