Great news to hear that 23 Iberian lynx have been cubs born in 2021 at the breeding centers of El Acebuche, in the Doñana National Park (Huelva) and in Zarza de Granadilla (Cáceres).
Fifteen males and eight females in total with 10 males and 2 females born in four litters in the Zarza de Granadilla facilities and the remaining 11 cubs (5 males and 6 females) in the El Acebuche centre from four litters.
Since the creation of the captive breeding project, 238 Iberian lynx have been born in the centers of which 150 have been released in the different areas of the Iberian Peninsula where reintroduction and / or reinforcement actions of the species are being carried out.
An interesting feature during the early weeks of Iberian lynx litters is that they go through a phase of aggressive behavior with each other at around seven weeks of age in which the cubs establish their hierarchy based on aggressions that can sometimes can end with the death of one of them. The good news is that five of the eight litters have now passed this aggressive phase and the technicians of the centers are confident that the remaining three will also go through this phase without any issues.
The next phase in the lives of the cubs is to decide whether they remain in captivity as part of the breeding programme as reproducers or if they will be prepared for release into the wild.
In 2021, a total of 27 lynxes have been released within the Iberian Lynx breeding program with four individuals coming from El Acebuche and five from Granadilla. (The remaining from other breeding centres in both Spain and Portugal)
An all-time high for the species
As a result of joint efforts to conserve the Iberian lynx over the last 20 years, the most recent study shows that the lynx population in Spain and Portugal has reached an all-time high for the species with a count of 1,111 recorded in both Spain and Portugal (Iberian peninsular) according to the date from 2020. Remember that in 2002 fewer than 100 specimens were counted giving it the name of the “Most endangered feline in the world” so this recent news now places it as one of the most successful conservation programs for felines in the world.
Read more about the Iberian Lynx here: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/iberian-lynx-lynx-pardinus-lince-iberico
Keep up to date with news and information about the Iberian Lynx and other Iberian wildlife at the Iberia Nature Forum: https://iberianatureforum.com/
Image and text source: https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/serviciosdeprensa/notasprensa/transicion-ecologica/Paginas/2021/020621-lince.aspx
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