The Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas (“Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests” ICNF), Portuguese partner in the Spanish-led LIFE+ ‘Iberlince’ project has confirmed the sighting of an Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Vila Nova de Milfontes, in western Portugal. It is the first confirmed Iberian lynx sighting in Portugal for three years and is a hugely positive sign in the attempts to restore population numbers of the species, which is the most endangered feline in the world.
A movement-activated camera placed by the local hunting association to carry out wild boar surveying in the area of Milfontes first took a photo of a lynx in early May; however, it was not possible to identify the animal. Subsequently, a team from the ICNF increased surveillance of the area with support from the LIFE+ project partners in Andalusia. The lynx was photographed again in broad daylight on 26th May, allowing his identification as Hongo, a male born in Aznalcázar, Spain in 2011. He had last been seen in October 2012 more than 300 km away in Doñana National Park, Andalusia.
“We will never know how he came to Milfontes,” explains Lurdes Carvalho, national coordinator of the Portuguese Action Plan for Iberian Lynx Conservation. “We have already been lucky to get a photograph of him in the day.” Most importantly, the sighting of Hongo is an extremely positive sign because “it means the landscape remains appropriate for the species and that they are able to find food.”
The team is hopeful that he will survive in the area as it is considered a suitable habitat for the lynx with a strong rabbit population. Indeed, the photograph suggests that Hongo is in good physical condition, which is particularly exciting news because, only last August, he became trapped in an irrigation basin and lost a lot of weight. He had to be taken to the captive breeding centre at El Acebuche to be restored to health before re-release.
For more information on this project which aims to restore the historical distribution of the Iberian lynx across Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and Portugal, visit the project website.
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