Researchers at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos found last October in the province of Madrid a few droppings that, by their shape and size, appeared to be of Iberian lynx. Some of these droppings were, upon notification to the coordinator of the Working Group of the Iberian lynx, Ministry of Environment sent to the nearest reference laboratory of Dr. Ignacio Doadrio, in the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales de Madrid-CSIC, for proper identification using modern molecular techniques. The test results have ratified after visual identification, one of the stools was genetically classified unequivocally as belonging to the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus).

Although some time has passed since the discovery of faeces, located in the heart of the SPA and SCI of rivers and Cofi Alberche can now say that a copy of the Iberian lynx was present in the area only five months ago. It is noteworthy that the discovery was made during the fieldwork for a project of the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos with rabbit bush, therefore, is more than predictable that a comprehensive study focusing on the lynx can find more droppings, andalusia least in the area have been found first.

Since in many areas has been made to the recital of Iberian lynx as a species extinct in the Community of Madrid, this discovery is really encouraging. In fact, certification is the molecular evidence of a clearly expressed in all reports made during the 90s in this region. They were reliable evidence of the presence of lynx in the region to which he never was given due credibility, among other things, lacking the genetic analysis of reports of fecal samples, which had not yet been developed.

This recent discovery could be the catalyst for developing and implementing a recovery plan for the species in the Community of Madrid, to which the administration is required by law. The Iberian lynx, a species unique to the peninsula, is critically endangered and is considered the most endangered big cat. Thus, any recovery in the province of Madrid would be a major step forward for the salvation of the species. In addition to the specific recovery plan also would require the approval of the SPA porn that was found in the droppings, as both tools would preserve in its current state while the habitats where the species is present, such as those potentially suitable for housing Iberian lynx again.

The research team which discovered the presence of lynx is composed of Emilio Virgós, Sara Cabezas-Díaz and Jorge Lozano.

Ecologists in Action receives this news with great satisfaction, and demands for the Community of Madrid to take urgent action to perform the necessary field work for more details of this population linceras, ensuring their conservation and stop all projects and activities that endanger its population.

considered particularly urgent to totally discard the project to double the M-501, since it is precisely in the area lincera of the Community of Madrid.

addition, Ecologists in Action denounces the lack of the Community of Madrid in preserving the population, certainly very little of Iberian lynx in Madrid, which facilitates their intentions of urban development and infrastructure construction SPAs in the oak and the rivers Alberche Sofia and its surroundings.

Source: www.ecologistasenaccion.org