Iberlince releases an Iberian lynx in Doñana to promote the population’s genetic reinforcement in the wilderness

Today, the Minister of Environment and Territorial Planning, José Fiscal, participated in the release of the Iberian lynx 'Opilano', in Doñana. The specimen had already been released last May in Villafranca de Córdoba, but didn’t adapt well to the territory, so it was decided to capture him and find another settlement. José Fiscal indicated that the goal of this release is the genetic reinforcement of the Doñana-Aljarafe lynx population. Since 2007, 10 individuals have been released in Andalusia to increase the population’s genetic variability.

The head of the Environment stated that “genetic reinforcement is yet another element in the protection and conservation of the Iberian lynx. In this sense, many factors contribute to good statistics, such as scientific work, the collaboration of land owners, the commitment of various associations, and the implementation of policies aimed at recovering this species”.

In 2002, the prospects for this species were bleak. There were only 94 Iberian lynx specimens in the world and all of them in Andalusia. 15 years later, its population has increased over sixfold and reached 593 specimens, according to the latest official census. The Iberian lynx has gone from being a “critically endangered” species to an "endangered species ", according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) list.

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