22 Sep
2006 - Huelva, Spain – An Iberian lynx has been
killed on a road in Doñana National Park
in southern Spain, making this the fifth such
fatality of the critically endanagered wild cat
this year.
WWF, the global conservation
organization, is calling for a moratorium on road
building in Iberian lynx habitat in Doñana,
and is demanding once again for the creation of
an emergency plan to avoid the extinction of one
of the world’s two remaining populations of the
species.
“When will the Spanish government
wake up?" said Luis Suarez, Head of species
conservation at WWF-Spain. "We are seeing
this cat being wiped out before our eyes due to
the authorities' inability to protect them.”
Since 2000, 20 Iberian lynx
(Lynx pardinus) have been killed on roads, the
most frequent cause of death for this wild cat,
together with illegal hunting. From 1982–89, vehicles
were responsible for 19.2 per cent of lynx deaths
in the area, but from 11000–99 this rose to 41.7
per cent, and since 2000 has risen to 62.5 per
cent. This high mortality rate, threatening the
survival of the lynx in Spain, is caused because
lynx are found outside of protected areas, where
they are exposed to many different risks. This
in turn is due to lack of planning within the
territory.
WWF is urging the government
of Andalucia to implement a long-term plan for
the region’s roads, and halt uncontrolled construction
within the area. Measures would include reduced
traffic speeds, a reduced number of vehicles in
the area, and blocking certain roads.
In particular, WWF is concerned
with an illegal road that passes through Doñana
Natural Park between Villamanrique de la Condesa
and El Rocio. This road cuts through the breeding
territory of the Iberian lynx and carries traffic
travelling at up to 120km/h. It was built when
the Andalusian Council of Agriculture tarred an
old forest track from Villamanrique to El Rocio
in June 2001. It was built without an environmental
impact assessment and without notifying the European
Commission. Traffic on the road is increasing,
mainly because residents from the city of Seville
use it to avoid jams on main roads as they travel
to the beaches of Matalascañas and Mazagón.
WWF believes roads are having
a devastating effect on the area’s dwindling Iberian
lynx population. Until recently, 20–25 lynx were
believed to survive in Doñana. It is believed
that there are only 100 adult lynx in the wild.
“Time is running out,” stressed
Suárez. “We will soon lose the opportunity
to save this population.”
Luis Suarez, Head, Species Programme
Joanna Benn, Communications Manager
