The Ministry of Environment in collaboration with other public administrations, continues to align roads and paved roads in the provinces of Huelva, Seville, Cordoba and Jaen to facilitate safe passage of the specimens of Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus ) champions in their areas and breeding to reduce the risk of death by abuse, a major cause of the decline of threatened species worldwide of which has only been found breeding in Spain.

Through this initiative, launched in 2001 with the Conservation Iberian lynx in Spain and continued with the project Life Nature 2002-2006 Recovery of populations of Iberian lynx in Andalusia, were adequate to date four different sections of roads and four road traffic (in addition to four other adjustments carried out earlier) to provide mechanisms that these pathways harmonize the use of them by motor vehicles and the stability of the territories lynx living in the vicinity. In the coming months on the Environment will coordinate technical activities similar points in other two roads and a road.

appropriate in these pathways are being implemented to benefit the conservation of the species (designated 'critically endangered', according to IUCN) and are aiming to remove the risk factors that represent road roads and pathways to the lynx: high traffic volume and high speed and the presence of the species in the vicinity. Given these assumptions, the Ministry of Environment has developed actions to minimize these factors.

To do so, their technicians have designed an action plan giving priority to actions in those roads and paths have been abuses and those of lynx tracks crossing linceras areas that may pose a potential threat to this species and others who live in these areas.

Studies of these pathways have found that the biggest threat to the lynx found when crossing a road or a paved road through the high speed of moving vehicles. Such channels represent a major threat to the lynx, which are already experiencing forest habitat suitable for lynx territories house. Therefore, and solely on the asphalt road, you put out and roundabouts are built that reduces the speed to enforce the generic set that allows the vehicle to stop an animal or any other obstacle that crossing the road.

The proceedings are being developed in the placement of semi-high fence on the edge of the road or path so that no animal can cross the channel and move to safer crossing points. Also, to avoid this barrier could lead to fragmentation of lynx habitat and prevent the flow between populations (essential for adequate genetic exchange between populations), this type of fencing systems is accompanied by passage of fauna underpass the track to ensure the movement of animals between the two sides of it.

These steps complement each other fauna equally important for its proper functioning as clearing scrub on the roadsides and in the enhancement of wooded hill and noble; return systems for wildlife, or the completion of fencing closing of gates in areas adjacent to the collaboration of individuals to centralize the passage of wildlife by the locations for this.

In this line, have also installed special signs saying "You are crossing a sensitive area inhabited by lynx and meet the recommended speed limits set for the track. Finally, systems are being installed reflectors on landmarks that reflect the vehicle lights to both sides of the road when he approached, and soundtracks in those points where it is intended to deter the animals from the road where there is step by this section.

Source: Junta de Andalucía