During the mating season, Navarro, a male lynx with leopard-like spots, confidently approaches a camera trap, showcasing the beauty of the Iberian lynx. Once on the brink of extinction, with only a handful of lynxes left in isolated populations, the species now thrives in the wild, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts led by experts like Rodrigo Serra. The decline in lynx population was attributed to various factors, including habitat loss, road accidents, and a decrease in their main prey, wild rabbits.
Through a national breeding program and reintroduction efforts, lynxes are being prepared for life in the wild, ensuring genetic diversity and minimizing risks of inbreeding. Despite some challenges, such as occasional conflicts with local communities, the success of the breeding program is evident as lynx numbers continue to rise. With hopes of reaching a favorable conservation status by 2035, the future looks promising for the once-endangered Iberian lynx population. Es ist surreal, dass wir an einem Ort sind, an dem wir Luchse in der Natur oder durch Kamerfallen fast täglich sehen können“, sagt Sarmento.
Das Reproduktionsteam wird nicht nachlässig und es gibt Risiken bei ihrer Arbeit. Letztes Jahr fanden 80% der Luchssterbefälle auf den Straßen statt.
Für jetzt sind sie jedoch zuversichtlich, dass der Iberische Luchs gerettet wurde.
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