The LPN – League for the Protection of Nature marks the beginning of the process of reintroduction of Iberian lynxes in Portugal, which will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, at the Guadiana Valley Natural Park.
"We support this step forward in the conservation efforts of this endangered species, given that we believe it will be an important contribution to its conservation in our country, but without ignoring, however, the need to manage the risks associated with these processes and the challenges still to be overcome for the reintroduction to be a success», stresses the LPN, in a statement.
LPN recalls that it has been "for decades committed to protecting the Iberian lynx."
From the national campaign to defend the Serra da Malcata to the Iberian lynx conservation projects, LPN «has always been at the forefront of efforts to preserve the species and its habitats, with the ultimate goal of providing conditions for the its survival and recovery in nature».
In this sense, that environmental association says that it cannot "not fail to point out the reintroduction of the species that is planned".
"Oh reintroduction process it is an important milestone in the efforts to conserve the Iberian lynx, and its success is a significant contribution to reversing its situation in our country. In addition, it will complement the work developed by other entities, public and private, including non-governmental environmental organizations», such as the LPN itself, he adds.
This step forward cannot, however, «be understood as a final and definitive step, since the reintroduction is a process and not an end, long and with many challenges».
This is because, underlines the LPN, "re-introduction entails risks that must be adequately and timely managed, and therefore all potential threats to the survival of the released animals must be taken care of, and all interested parties, namely rural communities, must be properly involved."
“The follow-up and monitoring of Iberian lynx from captivity, the prevention of the threats that they will certainly face and the existence of contingency plans to face any difficulties”, are aspects that LPN will continue to alert.
«We will therefore remain very attentive to the development of the entire reintroduction process, with natural concerns, but in the expectation that it can be a success», concludes the oldest Portuguese association for the defense of the environment.
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