The selection of a reintroduction area follows a process whose ultimate aim is to identify potential areas to support viable long-term Iberian lynx populations. The size of reintroduction areas is set at a minimum continuous area of 10,000 ha of suitable habitat with an optimal density of rabbits.

The evaluation is carried out according to the “Iberian Lynx Reintroduction Area Selection Protocol approved in the framework of the Life LYNXCONNECT project and in the Iberian Lynx Working Group on 21 December 2021.

Seven Iberian Lynx were already released in Sierra Arana last December and February, to which the four released on Monday will be added, making it a new reintroduction area for the Iberian Lynx in Andalucía. Four more lynxes were released yesterday, 20th February. The creation of a consolidated and viable Iberian lynx population is a long-term project, 10 years, so it is expected that releases of Iberian lynx will continue in the coming years in this area.

The lynxes that are released are selected according to genetic criteria and all are fitted with a collar with a transmitter so that they can be permanently located by the Project’s technicians, which allows their adaptation, physical condition, habitat selection, movements in the field and causes of mortality to be monitored.

LYNXCONNECT is collaborating with the Biology and Geology Department of the IES Montes Orientales de Iznalloz, with teachers and students in the educational project “Welcome Mister Lynx” which aims to welcome the Iberian Lynx, after more than 40 years of absence in this region.

These students, on the 9th of February, named two of the four specimens that will be released on Monday 20th February, in the area known as El Sotillo in Sierra Arana. The male “Trevélez” comes from the breeding centre of La Olivilla, where the female “Tabby” also comes from. They also actively participated in the release of these specimens together with the mayor of Iznalloz, Mariano José Lorente García.

The other two specimens: a male “Tenebrio”, from the breeding centre of El Acebuche and a female “Tanit” from the breeding centre of La Olivilla, were released by the delegate of the Andalusian Government in Granada, Antonio Granados, and the territorial delegate for Sustainability, Environment and Blue Economy, Manuel Fra

With these specimens, 137 Iberian lynxes have already been released in Andalusia.