Spanish lynx settles in at breeding facility in Portugal

First Lynx settles in Silves’ reproduction centre
31/10/2009

The first of 16 Iberian Lynxes that will arrive at the centre over the coming weeks was welcomed at the purpose-built facilities earlier this week, having travelled from a zoo in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

It was released with in the 100,000 square-metre centre, which is much larger than the pen it was living in, weeks ahead of its counterparts and accompanied by a vet.

Named Azahar, the five-year-old female Iberian Lynx travelled alone inside a box and was constantly monitored by a veterinary.

On being released in to her new home in Silves, the animal appeared to be slightly nervous and apprehensive.

She has been living in captivity at Jerez de la Frontera’s zoo for the past three years and was transferred to the reproduction centre in Silves under a protocol signed between the two countries in an attempt to boost the dwindling Iberian Lynx population.

The protocol, signed between the Environmental Ministers of Spain and Portugal, in 2007, aims to preserve animal species that are on the brink of extinction.

Azahar was captured when she was two years of age, in January 2006, in Sierra Morena (Andalusia).

She was taken into captivity after being taped by CCTV cameras and appeared to be very thin and had a bump on her back.

The lynx was x-rayed and was found to be suffering from a broken vertebra.

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