ICNF captures 35 Iberian lynxes in campaign in the Guadiana Valley [vídeo]

The Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) announced that, between September 29th and December 9th, 35 Iberian lynxes were captured as part of the annual campaign to monitor the species in Portugal.

According to the ICNF, this is “a record number since these works began in 2018”, allowing the conservation status of animals living in freedom to be assessed.

Campaign in the Guadiana Valley with record results

According to the institute, fieldwork took place for 26 days in the Guadiana Valley region, starting in the south, in Odeleite, and ending in the north, in the Serpa area. In the eight monitored areas, 35 lynxes were captured, of which nine were juveniles. As part of this campaign, 22 animals were equipped with emitting collars with LoRaWAN technology, capable of communicating with the Waze platform and alerting drivers whenever a lynx approaches road sections considered dangerous.

The ICNF recalls that these campaigns have been carried out annually since 2018 and their main objective is to collect “rigorous health information”, forming the basis of the national effort to conserve the Iberian lynx.

Each captured specimen is identified, photographed, examined and vaccinated, and samples are also collected for biological analysis and genotyping. Whenever possible, animals are equipped with emitting collars, devices that allow them to detect early signs of physical problems and collect data on behavior and movements. This information has been decisive in identifying the most dangerous sections of road, where “the speed of cars and the natural curiosity of lynxes form a lethal combination”, a risk that, the institute emphasizes, can only be mitigated with accurate data and quick action. After monitoring work is completed, the animals are returned to their natural habitat.

Conservation and recovery of the species

Technicians, nature watchers and forestry agents were involved in the work, whose commitment and experience made 2025 the year with the most captures and the most tagged lynx since the beginning of the program. The ICNF also highlights that this was the last campaign integrated into the LIFE Lynxconnect project, a joint initiative between Portugal and Spain aimed at reinforcing the connectivity and survival of the species.

The Iberian lynx is no longer classified as an “Endangered” species of extinction at Iberian level in 2024, but now has the status of “Vulnerable” on the Red List of Threatened Species.

This evolution is seen as “one of the best examples of conservation actions for threatened species in the world”, the result of the joint effort of public administrations, sectoral entities, private owners and managers, civil society and the European Union, through the LIFE program.

According to the most recent Iberian Lynx Census, the total population of the species reached 2,401 individuals in 2024, distributed between Spain, with 2,047 lynxes (85.3%), and Portugal, with 354 animals (14.7%). Of this total, 1,557 are adults or subadults and 844 correspond to puppies born in freedom.

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