Of the lynx bred in captivity so far, all have been released in secret locations in Spain but after today’s signing of a national programme to re-introduce the cats in Portugal, an autumn release has been authorised - if there are enough rabbits.
Miguel de Castro Neto, Secretary of State for Nature Conservation, said today that the goal is to have a "broad consensus" to reintroduce the most endangered feline in the world back to its natural habitat in Portugal.
Neto went further, saying the Ministry ‘will not oppose the eventual disbanding of a hunting area in the area of Malcata’ so as to offer a safe haven for these animals.
After an unhurried 10 years, Neto concluded that it was necessary to create a broad consensus to achieve the goals of pursuing the reintroduction of lynx climate.
The pact was signed by various organisations involved in the protection of nature, agriculture and hunting.
The hunting lobby has proved to be the most demanding as it did not want hunting banned in existing hunting areas due to a cat, yet the pro-nature groups wanted the hunting fraternity still to maintain the countryside.
This stand-off now is resolved as for a successful reintroduction of the lynx to Portugal there needs to be improved and managed habitats with a plentiful supply of plump rabbits.
The politician maintained his stance that he would not release lynx if there was any doubt about the success of the programme and has been busying himself at weekends monitoring rabbit levels in the target release areas, including Malcata near Coimbra and Vila Nova de Mil Fontes below Sines, both far from the Algarve where the animals succesfully have been bred.
While politicians have been drifting along and hunters have remained resolute, the breeding centre near Silves has been doing excellent work in perfecting the conditions needed for lynx to breed in captivity. Lynx released in Spain are reported to be doing well and todays agreement with the organisations involved in the Portuguese programme is a big step towards an autumn release date.
