Experimental release of an Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Published source details Rodriguez A., Barrios L. & Delibes M. (1995) Experimental release of an Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Biodiversity and Conservation, 4, 382-394.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

	Action	Category
	Provide live natural prey to captive mammals to foster hunting behaviour before release Action Link
	Rehabilitate injured, sick or weak mammals Action Link

Provide live natural prey to captive mammals to foster hunting behaviour before release

A study in 1991–1992 in a shrubland and grassland site in Sierra Morena, Spain (Rodriguez et al. 1995) found that a rehabilitated Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus that was provided with live natural prey to foster hunting behaviour survived at least three months after release. The lynx was still alive at least 93 days after release, and locations of the radio-collar suggested it had established a 220 ha territory. On 6 July 1991, a wounded male Iberian lynx kitten (approximately four months old, weighing 2.0 kg) was brought into captivity. The wounds were treated and after 43 days the lynx was moved to a 5 × 5 m outdoor enclosure. The lynx was initially fed dead prey but, after 15 days in the enclosure, it was given live rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus. After 112 days the animal (weight = 4.9 kg) was fitted with a radio-collar and moved to a 1-ha enclosure where 100 live rabbits had been released. After 83 days in this enclosure, on 2 March 1992, the animal (weight = 6.0 kg) was released in a pine stand, 9 km from where it was originally found. It was monitored daily until the collar dropped off.

(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)
Rehabilitate injured, sick or weak mammals

A study in 1991–1992 in a shrubland and grassland site in Sierra Morena, Spain (Rodriguez et al. 1995) found that a rehabilitated Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus survived at least three months after release back into the wild. The lynx was still alive at least 93 days after release, and radio-collar fixes suggested it had established a 220 ha territory. On 6 July 1991, a wounded male Iberian lynx kitten (approximately four months old, weighing 2 kg) was brought into captivity with superficial wounds and a fractured femur. The wounds were treated and the animal was kept in a small cage with padded walls. After 43 days, it was moved to a 5 × 5-m outdoor enclosure where it was fed European rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus for 112 days. After this, the animal (weight 4.9 kg) was fitted with a radio-collar and moved to a 1-ha enclosure with natural vegetation and wild rabbits. After 83 days in this enclosure, on 2 March 1992, the animal (weight 6.0 kg) was released in a pine stand, 9 km from where it was originally found. It was monitored daily until the radio-collar fell off.

(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)