THE MAN FROM MÉRTOLA WHO FOUND THE WOUNDED LYNX ON THE ROAD

"I found the lynx lying in the middle of the road (...) I immediately thought it was very strange. I called the GNR police station in Mértola who then contacted SEPNA and the Natural Park, and soon there was someone here who could provide this animal with prompt assistance (...) I stayed nearby while the authorities and Guadiana Valley Natural Park specialists showed up, who didn’t allow for anyone come any closer to the animal, not even curious bystanders who wanted to take a picture. I stayed until Carlos Carrapato arrived (...) I was hopeful, because I saw it drag itself on the road, and thought the situation would have a happy ending...

I stopped because I know it’s a protected species, we learned that due to the releases here in Mértola (...) I saw that it was in danger, and immediately thought of of calling for help (...)

I think it’s good (that there are lynxes), it being an endangered species and all, I think it’s good that we do something to avoid the species from disappearing, which Is great for the local fauna. (...) It’s good to introduce species that adapt to the area ... because it’s a tourist point, it can open doors to other areas as well, other tourists ... Any merchant from Mértola has a lot to gain from the introduction of lynxes, absolutely. "

Pedro Simões, who found the injured lynx on May 2nd, 2018