IUCN / SSC Cat Specialist Group - Digital Cat Library |
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| Rodriguez, A.; Vargas, A.; Delibes, M. | |
| Elements for elaborating a strategy for the conservation of the Iberian lynx | |
| 2001 Book Chapter | |
We outline the main ideas and action schemes which should be included in a conservation programme for the Iberian Lynx (_Lynx pardinus_) in Spain. Currently, in order to optimize the profitability of human and economic resources, these should be allocated to the conservation of wild populations rather than to captive breeding efforts. Recommended actions, regarding wild Iynx populations are classified into three groups, namely, applied scientific research, development of techniques for the management of Iynx populations and their habitat, and campaigns of public information and awareness. Management in the wild must focus on 1) the identification of a potential region where patchy landscape dominated by Mediterranean forest or scrubland should be protected and recovered, 2) the increase of density and geographical expansion of the European Rabbit (_Oryctolagus cuniculus_). 3) the complete elimination of non-selective predator control methods, and 4) Iynx recolonisation of recently lost range. At this stage. we advise against the use of captive breeding as a conservation tool, but we do believe that an experimental captive breeding programme would be highly valuable to gain knowledge which might be urgently needed in the future. Together with the practical handling of captive Iynx, this programme will be able to provide information on aspects of the Iynx biology that are little known, such as reproduction, genetics, physiology, nutrition, behaviour, and disease. |
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