Reintroduction

First steps in the LIFE-Lince project

Once the study about potential areas for the reintroduction of the Iberian lynx in the Iberian Peninsulain was conducted in the previous LIFE project (LIFENAT 02/E/8609), we proceeded to the final fine-scale selection of reintroduction areas. During the years 2007 and 2008 field assessments of the potentiality of the three pre-selected areas in Andalusia (Guadalmellato, Guarrizas and Hornachuelos) to hold Iberian lynx populations were conducted . These evaluations included measurements of different variables related to habitat, abundance of resources, potential causes of mortality and the social attitude of local people towards the reintroduction of the Iberian lynx. Thanks to these works, two areas were selected for the final reintroduction of the Iberian lynx in Andalusia: Guadalmellato and Guarrizas (see Report about selection of the reintroduction areas). Once the areas had been selected, the work there focused on habitat improvement, adequation and social awareness. Afterwards, an Iberian lynx reintroduction plan was drewed up , which was developed by the team LIFE-lynx, KORA and the director of captive breeding program. This plan was enhanced and approved in the III Iberian lynx conservation seminar.

A. Reintroduction in Guadalmellato area

After being selected as a priority area, works in Guadalmellato were routed to the signing of cooperation agreements, the monitoring of rabbit populations and habitat improvement measures for the rabbit in specific areas. 

Result of the slective bush clearance to improve rabbit populations	Selective bush clearance

Once the actions undertaken habitat management and awareness Guadalmellato, we worked on building the soft infrastructure loose located in Villafranca de Cordoba. The first single began in December 2009 with specimens from wild populations Andújar. In this month released two pairs of adult lynx (Rattle and Diana, and Caberú and Charqueña) and subadults (Elron and Eclipse) on-site soft release area of ??approximately 2 ha. The couples remained in the enclosures during the breeding season and later, between March and April, males were released. This operation was intended to set links between partners that enable females would serve as fasteners males. Secondly, the possibility that mate and one of the females managed to raise a puppy would be a terrific complement to management. At least two of the three females (Charqueña and Eclipse) fell pregnant, but only managed to raise two puppies Charqueña until the age of dispersal. Once released, males explored the area, but none became the nucleus of origin. In March 2010, while beginning the liberation of the male, was released by a female senile last release from Doñana (Mata). The aim was to provide an opportunity for the physically impaired female in an area without competition and increase the presence of lynx in the area as attractive to other potential lynx dispersing Andújar. It was actually kills the people who came to Andujar, but later returned to Guadalmellato. Females were released in July 2010.

Release of Elron by April 2010	Foto-trapping image of the Charqueña cubs in October 2010

Following the release of the females there was a period of exploration of the land and territorial adjustment between individuals. During the second half of 2010 were lost duplicate, Cascabel, who died of unknown causes, and Guarrizas (Charqueña female puppy and Caberú), who was killed. Cassandra, a senile female dispersal from Andújar, was detected in Guadalmellato for a while, but then stopped detected in the area. In February 2011 the incorporation was detected in the population of a specimen from Cardeña. This is the female Flavia, the daughter of Candy and litter sister of the male Floreal, copy that was transferred from Sierra Morena to Doñana.

In March 2011, the female was found dead Charqueña by poaching, particularly for stocks. This tragic incident was a setback for re-entry, but mortality during the first year and a half is moving within the range expected. In March 2011, has begun a new release of individuals from Andújar. We have selected five individuals to be released by Loose Guadalmellato hard (as shown in the conclusions of the Fourth Seminar on Conservation of the Iberian lynx): three males (Gael, Galán and Gaia) and two females (Gomera and Gitana) of cohort of 2010. Gael and Galán were released in Guadalmellato on 24 March, and now they're making exploratory movements in the area.

Abstrat table showing the evolution of the reintroduction in Guadalmellato:

*Comming from the captive breeding program 

GPS-locations of all radio-tagged Iberian lynx in Guadalmellato between April and June 2011 

B. Reintroduction in Guarrizas area

After tuning Reintroduction Area Guarrizas River Valley by establishing cooperation agreements with the ownership, management measures aimed at improving habitat for the rabbit and the construction of 2 pens presuelta was carried out last December 4th release of 5 examples of the Iberian lynx (see Gato Clavo 33). Specifically, a pair of adults from the population Andújar: Eva and Íbero, and 3 individuals of approximately 8-9 months of age: Granadilla, Grazalema (2 females from the Captive Breeding Centre "The Olivilla") and Granizo, a captured wild male in the population of western Sierra Morena. They all have adapted very positive has been observed in recent weeks, in the case of adults, mating behavior clear.

Releasing Granadilla on December, 4th, 2010	Releasing Íbero on December, 4th, 2010

In juveniles, including social behavior as well as exploration, hunting or flight in the presence of humans seem optimal. These have been specifically evaluated in captive females from giving, a priori, a good adaptation and its possible survival in the environment once released from the pre-release pens. Therefore, since last February 14 the 3 juveniles free fields in this valley.

Following the release of presuelta enclosures on 14 February, the 3 juveniles of the Iberian lynx: Grazalema, Granadilla and Granizo are settled in the area of ??reintroduction. While the male is just over 3 km away from the fence of presuelta (blue lines map), females have been allowed to see the whole area north and east of the reintroduction area. Grazalema to be released began to move eastward away 16 km straight line from the release point (red lines on map). He is currently settled north of Navas de San Juan in an area where high densities of rabbits and Nuria, a female Andújar population is settled in this area in a natural way for about a year and a half, spent time before finally settling in southern arches. Granadilla (green lines) but remains in the vicinity of the fence has made two incursions into the North always away around 10 km as the crow flies from the release point. Hail territory currently shares having photographed both in the Supplementary Feeding Fencing fencing still remains active. As the pair of adults, March 12 proceeded to the release of Ibero it was found that the female is in an advanced state of pregnancy to avoid future negative interactions with pups.

Abstract table showing the evolution of the reintroduction in Guarrizas:

 *Comming from the captive breeding program

GPS-locations of the individuals released in Guarrizas reintroduction area

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