Wednesday

Excitement ripples through the crowd that has gathered to catch a rare glimpse of the world's most endangered cat.

With its lustrous, spotted coat, kohl-rimmed eyes and tufted ears, the Iberian lynx would not look out of place in Africa or Asia. But this is Europe's big cat.

And the lynx that dozens of people have come out to see today could be the key to saving this species.

The cat was once widespread across Spain and Portugal. But in 2005, its numbers plummeted to just 150, earning it the unenviable title of being the most threatened of the world's 36 wild cat species.

One of the key factors in this animal's catastrophic decline was the loss of its main food source: rabbits, which were wiped out by disease.

Habitat destruction has also been a major problem for the lynx.

The situation was so desperate that conservationists in Spain were forced to take radical action: removing some of the cats from the wild and putting them into captivity to breed, in an attempt to boost numbers.

Miguel Simon, director of the Lynx Life project, said: "The situation was really dramatic: there were only two populations left in the wild.

"In order to preserve this species, we had to create a captive population in case the wild population became extinct."

New home

Understanding the reproductive behaviour of these shy and solitary cats has not been easy.

But over the past five years, breeding centres in Jaen and the Donana National Park, both in Andalucia, have been extremely successful and there are now around 100 cats in captivity.

And in the wild, thanks to work to enhance the felines' habitat, numbers are up too - the population has grown to 300 cats.

With this double success, conservationists are ready to put the next part of their rescue plan into action: releasing captive-born lynx into the wild.

Dr Simon said: "The Iberian lynx is a key species in the Mediterranean ecosystem. It is a top predator, and if we preserve this species, we are preserving the whole ecosystem.

"It is our heritage, and we have to preserve it for future generations."

Lynx Life has carefully selected an area in Sierra Morena for the animals' new home.

The habitat is perfectly suited to the felines: it is a hilly, forested region, packed with shade for the cats to sleep in when the fierce Spanish Sun becomes unbearably hot.


Most importantly, though, there are plenty of rabbits - without them, the lynx cannot survive.

Today, a large group of people have arrived to see how the cats respond to their new home. They are excited at the rare prospect of a positive news story for this beleaguered animal.

Three young captive-born cats from La Olivilla breeding centre in Juan have been selected for the release.

First steps

The team from Lynx Life has given them a careful check-up, to ensure they are in good health. They have also been fitted with radio collars, allowing the conservationists to track their every move.

Everything is riding on the success of today. If this goes well, the hope is that it will pull the Iberian lynx back from the brink of extinction.


The cats are fitted with radio collars, which will allow the conservationists to track them and monitor their progress

As the cats are released, they are a little confused at first, unsure of their new surroundings.

But after tentatively taking a few steps, they bound into the wild, ready to explore their new home.

Guillermo Lopez, a vet with the Lynx Life project, said: "Days like today, you feel incredible. This is the very first time a captive-bred individual has been released into the wild.

"I am a bit scared because we don't know what is going to happen with her. It is a big change from being in captivity, but we have to try."

The Lynx Life team admits that radical intervention like this is a last resort. But if it works, these cats could be the first of many to roam free once again.

A total of 15 releases have taken place this year, and if new populations begin to establish, more and more of the captive cats will be introduced to the wild.

Eventually, the conservationists would like to extend the scheme across Spain and Portugal.

Dr Lopez said: "Just a few years ago, everything seemed so difficult, and now we are approaching the successful conservation of the species.

"We are looking at the landscape, and thinking: 'Yes, we can do it'."

By Rebecca Morelle Science reporter, BBC News, Andalucia SOURCE

VIDEO Iberian Lynx and cubs

Responses to "Iberian lynx released into wild in Spain (Video)"

  1. This is a Great Project ! May it has all the luck and success it deserves !!! And the Lynx cats are fabulous !!! And so are the people who care for them !

  2. Anonymous says:

    I love ALL animals but have to admit that the cat family is my favorite. They are so beautiful and graceful. Animals are devoted to their offspring. People go to the market to buy food...animals have to leave their young to exhaustedly hunt and kill to supply them with food often risking their own lives. People should love like animals do.

  3. Anonymous says:

    That was a great project.I hope this will continue to work to bring back the Iberian Lynx.They are such a beautiful creature.And from what I saw from the video extremely great mothers.I wish the people who have the chance to be involved the best of luck."Good Luck'.

  4. Agradecimiento a todas esas mamás, que sufriendo por el desconocido destino que padeceran sus amadas crias, les ofrecen el amor más puro , la mejor protección y les desean la mayor fortuna en sus vidas inciertas. Gracias a esas mamás que depositan todas sus energías para que la vida siga. Gracias Días y gracias Naturaleza por vuestra lucha conseguir el bien.

  5. Anonymous says:

    I am a cat lover also, so happy to see the care some have for other species! Great video and music! Who are the musicians?

  6. Anonymous says:

    Their " radical" intervention took foresight and courage. May the lynx continue to thrive and prosper where they a key element in the ecosystem.

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