A female Iberian lynx named “Sibila” has chosen to call Cabañeros National Park home since last May. This makes her the first to inhabit this protected area in the province of Ciudad Real.
The director of Cabañeros National Park, Ángel Gómez Manzaneque, explained that their efforts to establish a stable population of Iberian lynx over the years are starting to show promising results.
The Cabañeros National Park
The Cabañeros National Park (in Spanish: Parque Nacional de Cabañeros) is located within the two provinces of Ciudad Real and Toledo. It is the best and largest surviving area of Iberian Mediterranean forest, with an enormous variety of plant species. It also includes sites of geological interest (Paleozoic sites known as Cámbrico y Ordovícico del Parque Nacional de Cabañeros). In addition, the territory has protection status within the framework of the Natura 2000 Network and is a Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA). Read more about the Cabañeros National Park here: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/cabaneros-national-park/
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/forums/topic/how-many-iberian-lynx-are-there-in-iberia/
Sibilia, a two year old female lynx
Sibila, a two-year-old lynx born on the Ciudad Real side of the Sierra Morena, underwent a brief check-up at the El Chaparrillo Fauna Recovery Center before being transferred to an acclimatization facility in Cabañeros. Here, she gradually adapted to her new environment.
On May 17 she was released, allowing her to explore the park freely. She embarked on occasional reconnaissance escapades before returning to the privileged mountainous corner that offers abundant food, shelter, and fresh water, as explained by Gómez Manzaneque.
R2-D2, a male from Montes de Toledo, currently resides in an acclimatization enclosure and is being prepared for eventual release, with hopes of following in Sibila’s footsteps and potentially contributing to the first Iberian lynx litter born in Cabañeros National Park.
Cabañeros has two large acclimatization enclosures, each covering approximately 15,000 square meters. These enclosures are equipped with various natural elements to facilitate the gradual adaptation of lynxes to their new environment. Additionally, areas with a high rabbit population have been created to support lynx feeding and promote ecosystem restoration.
Radiotagging allows researchers to closely monitor Sibila’s movements and behaviors. This data is crucial for understanding her adaptation to her new home and her interactions with the environment, aiding ongoing conservation efforts.
Female Iberian Lynx’s Historic Settlement in Cabañeros National Park
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