Current status of the Iberian lynx in Andalusia

The conservation status of the Iberian lynx was found to be extremely critical by the end of the 20th Century, when only 150 individuals remained in the wild secluded into two isolated populations, Doñana and eastern Sierra Morena, both located in Andalusia. The Andalusian Government, together with a number of partners, adopted different conservation measures that received support from the European Union in the form of two LIFE-Nature conservation projects. These projects have proved essential to avoid the potential extinction of the Iberian lynx in the wild and to stabilize both free-ranging populations. Presently, in situ conservation efforts are focused on the following objectives: (1) Maintaining and expanding the two existing populations; (2) Recovering extinct population nuclei -following IUCN reintroduction criteria-, (3) Maximizing genetic diversity by "genetically connecting" the two existing populations, (4) Continuing to promote local, national and international support to ensure the recovery of this highly endangered species. Nowadays, the Sierra Morena population continues to grow -both numerically and in surface areaat an annual basis, In fact, the number of lynxes has increased from 38 adults (individuals of more than one-year-of-age) registered in 2001 to 95 in 2008. The Doñana population remains stable and a translocation program, with the ultimate goal of genetic and demographic reinforcement, is currently taking place. Also, in situ efforts are presently focused on the recovery of historical population nuclei through reintroduction programs. Preparation works are being carried out since 2005 and the first releases are scheduled to begin in 2009. November 17-19 2008, Huelva (Spain) Current status of the Iberian lynx in Andalusia Miguel Ángel Simón, Rafael Cadenas, José María Gil-Sánchez, Marcos López-Parra, José García, Leonardo Fernández, Gema Ruiz and Guillermo López 1. Iberian lynx LIFE conservation project. Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía. c/ Fuente del Serbo, 3. 23071. Jaén. miguelangel.simon@juntadeandalucia.es 2. Instituto Andaluz de la Caza. Consejería de Medio Ambiente, Junta de Andalucía. Avd. Manuel Siurot, 50. 41071. Sevilla. 3. Iberian lynx LIFE conservation project. EGMASA. Avd. Andalucía, 104 Esc 3, 1o. 23006. Jaén. 4. Iberian lynx LIFE conservation project. EGMASA. c/ Johan Gutenberg, 1. 41092. Sevilla. 5. Iberian lynx LIFE conservation project. EGMASA. C/ Plus Ultra, no8, 7a Planta. 21001. Huelva. 6. Iberian lynx LIFE conservation project. EGMASA. c/ Pepe Espaliú, 2. 14004. Córdoba. Abstract The conservation status of the Iberian lynx was found to be extremely critical by the end of the 20th Century,The conservation status of the Iberian lynx was found to be extremely critical by the end of the 20th Century, when only 150 individuals remained in the wild secluded into two isolated populations, Doñana and eastern Sierra Morena, both located in Andalusia. The Andalusian Government, together with a number of partners, adopted different conservation measures that received support from the European Union in the form of two LIFE-Nature conservation projects. These projects have proved essential to avoid the potential extinction of the Iberian lynx in the wild and to stabilize both free-ranging populations. Presently, in situ conservation efforts are focused on the following objectives: (1) Maintaining and expanding the two existing populations; (2) Recovering extinct population nuclei -following IUCN reintroduction criteria-, (3) Maximizing genetic diversity by “genetically connecting” the two existing populations, (4) Continuing to promote local, national and international support to ensure the recovery of this highly endangered species. Nowadays, the Sierra Morena population continues to grow –both numerically and in surface areaat an annual basis, In fact, the number of lynxes has increased from 38 adults (individuals of more than one-year-of-age) registered in 2001 to 95 in 2008. The Doñana population remains stable and a translocation program, with the ultimate goal of genetic and demographic reinforcement, is currently taking place. Also, in situ efforts are presently focused on the recovery of historical population nuclei through reintroduction programs. Preparation works are being carried out since 2005 and the first releases are scheduled to begin in 2009. Introduction The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), a species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula (Ferrer & Negro, 2004), is considered the most endangered felid in the world, as it has been catalogued as “critically endangered” by the IUCN (2003). Legal protection for the species is guaranteed by the Bern Convention, and the protection of its habitat is a priority by the European Commission (Habitat Directive 92/43). The Iberian lynx’s distribution area suffered a 98% decline during the second half of the last century (Rodríguez & Delibes, 1992; Guzmán et al. 2004) and, by 2002, about 160 individuals remained, distributed into two isolated breeding populations: the Doñana Natural Space and its surroundings, and the AndújarCardeña mountains in Eastern Sierra Morena, both in Andalusia (Guzmán et al. 2004). The Iberian lynx is a specialized predator, with more than 90% of its diet comprised of wild rabbits (Gil-Sánchez et al. 2006). Mediterranean scrubland areas represent the optimal habitat for this species (Palomares, 2001). Current threats to the species include (1) scarcity of rabbits due to mixomatosis and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD), (2) habitat destruction, and (3) human-caused mortality (road kills, leghold traps, poaching, etc.) (Guzmán et al. 2004). Given the critical situation of the species, the Andalusian Regional Ministry of Environment began working in early 2000 on measures to avoid the Iberian lynx extinction. These included: (1) to attain an accurate knowledge of the actual distribution range of the species, (2) to carry out a monitoring program of both rabbit and lynx populations, (3) to sign collaborative agreements with land owners, (4) to recover rabbit populations, (5) to