Population reinforcement

In the Doñana region there are 35-40 lynx, which have remained isolated from the Sierra Morena population for 60 years. The degree of endogamy (breeding between individuals of a genetically isolated race, community or population), is very high, and it is thought that this weakens the health of the species, so much so that a feline leukaemia epidemic (disease common to domestic cats and transmissible to other felines) has seriously threatened the Doñana lynx during recent months. Therefore, it is vital that new blood be introduced from the Sierra Morena lynx. These mountain lynx will strengthen the Doñana population, fulfilling a dual role: on the one hand trying to recover some lost territories (by releasing these new individuals into areas of historical lynx presence), and on the other hand, slowing down the loss of genetic diversity (by introducing reproducing individuals with new blood).

The work of implementing, tracking and evaluating the remediation and reintroduction will be supervised and guided by a committee of experts on the subject, the REINTRODUCTION AND REMEDIATION COMMITTEE.