June 11, 2013 — Scientists working on the LIFE IBERLINCE project have spent six years studying the hunting behaviour of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), registering a total of 40 attacks with 716 farm animals killed. Their results indicate that, although the resulting economic losses are not high, this behaviour is on the rise, and it is therefore necessary to establish conflict prevention programmes alongside the existing conservation programmes.
Most studies on depredation of livestock in Spain have focused on wolves and little attention has been given to this type of conflict in smaller species.
Within the LIFE IBERLINCE project, "Conservation and reintroduction of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) in Andalusia," a team of scientists has spent six years monitoring lynxes' hunting habits in areas with nearby settlement. In the eight years since this initiative began, the number of lynxes in Spain has trebled.
"We have counted a total of 40 attacks on farm animals, involving 716 kills, in the area of Andújar-Cardeña, one of the hubs -- along with Doñana -- in which members of this species in danger of extinction are centred," explains German Garrote, co-author of the study and researcher on this project.
Although the majority of these attacks (78%) were carried out against poultry, sheep depredation resulted in higher economic losses."
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