The Life-Nature and Biodiversity Project “Creating a genetically and demographically functional metapopulation of the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)” (LIFE19NAT/ES/001055) “LYNXCONNECT” will present the LIFE LYNXCONNECT Awards on 28 April in the Portuguese city of Beja.

These awards recognise groups, institutions and individuals whose contribution to the preservation and conservation of the Iberian lynx has been outstanding.

Over the course of the project, five deliveries will be made, one per year. Of these, one will be made for each area of work: Portugal, Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura and Andalusia.

The recipients of these awards have been proposed by the project partners and there are five people, groups, institutions and organisations that will receive this recognition on this occasion.

The Region of Murcia distinguishes with this award “To the Society of the Region of Murcia”, for the general support shown for the LIFE LYNXCONNECT project and in particular for the reintroduction of the lynx in the Region of Murcia, expressed through the surveys carried out, opinions expressed in the press and social networks and for the general warmth and feeling that has been spontaneously transmitted by social groups of the most diverse nature and private citizens.

For its part, Extremadura awards “AMUS (Acción por el Mundo Salvaje)”, for its work in the conservation of species and natural habitats. In particular for its favourable, collaborative and selfless attitude towards the LIFE LYNXCONNECT project.

In Andalusia it is the “Finca Arenillas”, in the municipality of Villanueva del Rio y Minas, Seville, due to the favourable attitude shown by the owners regarding the presence of Iberian lynx specimens on this farm, and the collaboration of the technicians and monitoring team of the LIFE LYNXCONNECT project in carrying out the operations inherent to the surveillance and monitoring of the lynx established there.

In Portugal, the entity identified above, owner of the “Herdades da Lobata e da Amendoeira”, located in the parish of Santa Maria, in the municipality of Serpa, represented by Mr João Maria Cano, is distinguished for its favourable, cooperative and disinterested attitude towards the presence of Iberian lynx specimens in this property. João Maria Cano, for the favourable, cooperative and disinterested attitude, shown by the respective Partners, regarding the presence of Iberian lynx specimens in this property, at least since 2016, and collaborative action in the face of the need for frequent access to it, by the Technicians and Nature Watchers of the DRCNF-Alentejo of the ICNF, to carry out the operations inherent to the monitoring and follow-up of the lynxes naturally established there.

The fifth prize is awarded by the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha “To the Cuerpo de Agentes Medioambientales”, for their commendable work in the conservation of the Iberian Lynx and their collaboration and unconditional support to the LIFE LYNXCONNECT.dos Project.

Thanks to all of them.