Signage reinforcement in Portugal to prevent road collisions with the Iberian lynx

In recent years, Infrasestruturas de Portugal, a partner and beneficiary associated with the Life Iberlince Project, invested in a set of measures aimed at reducing one of the Iberian lynx’s main causes of death: road collisions.

For this purpose, new warning signs fitted with chromatic strips were recently installed alerting to the risk of said collisions in order to reduce traffic speed.

To highlight the need to drive with caution in this area, large panels were also installed within the boundaries of the reintroduction area, for those driving on the EN122 / IC27, as well as the EN 123 and EN 267.

The Iberian lynx was reintroduced in Portugal in 2015, in the Guadiana Valley region, municipality of Mértola, as part of the Life Iberlince project. This project seeks to recover the species’ historical distribution, which entails a harmonious coexistence with human activities so that it ceases to be one of the most endangered felines in the world.

Between 2015 and 2018, 33 animals were released in the Guadiana Valley and currently enjoy stabilized territories. Moreover, since 2016, 36 offspring born in the wild have been identified. Since then, five road collisions with specimens were registered - of which two took place within the reintroduction area - thus making this a situation that requires our utmost attention.

We remind that, at the end of 2014, IP installed lynx-specific signs; periodically cleans the vegetation on road banks, to prevent lynxes from using it; ensured maintenance of hydraulic passages and their adaptation so they also served as wildlife passages; and installed speed limiters. IP also carries out a road collision monitoring program throughout its entire network.

However, preventing mortality also implies disseminating information, raising awareness among road users, as well as their cooperation when traversing Iberian lynx reintroduction areas.

Because these roads are more sought after during the summer, when faced with these panels and lynx-specific signs: slow down, be attentive, and contribute to the Iberian lynx’s survival. The periods of higher vulnerability are from dusk to dawn, but ALWAYS DRIVE WITH CARE AND CAUTION!