Palomares 2006

Considerations for planning Iberian lynx translocations into Doñana National Park
Consideraciones para la planificación de la translocación de lince ibérico en el Parque Nacional de Doñana
Francisco Palomares
Considerations for planning
Iberian lynx translocations into
Doñana National Park
Consideraciones para la planificación
de la translocación de lince ibérico
en el Parque Nacional de Doñana
Francisco Palomares
•
Photo: Antonio Sabater
Resumen
El lince ibérico (Lynx pardinus) es la especie de felino más amenazada en el
mundo. Una de las poblaciones supervivientes de lince ibérico más conocida
se encuentra en el Parque Nacional de Doñana y en sus alrededores, en el
entorno natural más protegido que existe dentro del área de distribución
histórica de esta especie. En este lugar, el lince ibérico se ha mantenido estable
durante los últimos 50 años, con una población de entre 40 y 50 ejemplares,
la mayoría de los cuales vive actualmente fuera de los límites del parque. Por
esta razón, la población de linces de Doñana es especialmente vulnerable a
la extinción. Si dentro del parque nacional desapareciese un solo territorio
de lince más, esta población podría extinguirse en los próximos 15 años. La
recuperación de las áreas fuente de reproducción dentro de Doñana, además
de la translocación de algunos ejemplares procedentes de Sierra Morena, así
como la restauración de su hábitat y la mayor capacidad de carga de las áreas
fuente dentro del parque nacional, reducirían la probabilidad de extinción de
toda la metapoblación de linces de Doñana por debajo del 5% en los próximos
100 años. En este capítulo se tratan las consideraciones específicas a tener en
cuenta en la selección de áreas para la translocación de linces ibéricos dentro
del parque nacional, así como las características biológicas de los candidatos
para la reintroducción (edad y estado del ejemplar) y las fechas más adecuadas
para que ésta tenga lugar.
Palabras clave
Lince ibérico, reintroducción, extinción, Doñana
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Abstract
The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most highly endangered felid species in the
world. One of the best known surviving lynx populations lives in and around Doñana
National Park, within the most highly protected natural setting left of the lynx’s historic
distribution. The population has remained stable at around 40-50 individuals for the
past 20-25 years, the majority of which presently live outside Park boundaries. This
makes the Doñana lynx population particularly vulnerable to extinction. If one more
lynx territory disappears inside the National Park, model results indicate that extinction
of the Doñana lynx population could happen within the next 15 years. Recovery of the
reproductive source areas inside the national park, coupled with the translocation of
a few lynxes from the Sierra Morena population, and supported by the restoration
and increased carrying capacity of the source areas inside the park, would reduce the
probability of extinction of the entire Doñana lynx metapopulation to below 5% in the
next 100 years. In this chapter we discuss specific considerations for the selection of
areas for Iberian lynx translocation inside the national park, together with the biological
characteristics of translocation candidates (lynx age and status) and best timing for the
actual translocation.
Keywords
Photo: Antonio Rivas
Iberian lynx, translocation, extinction, Doñana
Iberian lynx ex situ conservation: an interdisciplinary approach
Astrid Vargas, Christine Breitenmoser & Urs Breitenmoser
Fundación Biodiversidad / IUcn Cat Specialist Group
Considerations for planning Iberian lynx translocations into Doñana National Park
Consideraciones para la planificación de la translocación de lince ibérico en el Parque Nacional de Doñana
Francisco Palomares
Considerations for planning Iberian lynx
translocations into Doñana National Park
Francisco Palomares
T
Introduction
he Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most threatened felid in the world (Novell and
Jackson, 1996). Endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, at present only 200 individuals remain
in two populations (Doñana and Sierra Morena) of the south of Spain (Palomares et
al., 2002; Guzmán et al., 2004; Simón, this book; Calzada, this book). The Doñana
population, the smallest of the two, with about 40-50 lynx distributed in different
nuclei over an area of approximately 2 500 km2, is the best known and it is located in a
protected area, the most sheltered from human influence when considering the present
and potential distribution area of Iberian lynx in Spain and Portugal. Nevertheless,
although the Doñana population has remained almost stable from the last decades, the
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spatial location of lynx has changed thoroughout the last 20 years. While in the late 80’s
most lynxes were settled inside the national park (Palomares y col., 1991), presently most of them roam outside the
protected area (Román et al., 2006). This is particularly important for the viability of the Doñana population since
nuclei from inside the national park act as sources for the overall population, whereas nuclei outside the protected
area are sink areas for the species (Gaona et al., 1998).
Spatially explicit models indicate that viability of the current Doñana population is very low. There is a
95% probability of extinction in the next 100 year, and average extinction time could be in 32 years. Thus, if a
single territory is lost inside the national park, extinction could take place in only 15 years (Revilla et al., 2007).
Nevertheless, from a demographic standpoint, increasing the source populations (i.e., those inside the national
park) thorough the translocation of four lynx in two years –at a rate of two lynx per year– or 10 lynx in five years
–also at a rate of two lynx per year–, extinction probabilities for the Doñana population in the next 100 years
would be less than 4% and 1%, respectively (Revilla et al., 2007).
On the other hand, genetic health of the Doñana lynx population is poor (Jiménez et al., this book; Meli
et al., this book; López et al., this book). The first cue is that during the last decades the pelage of lynx from
Doñana has lost two spot patterns, and now only lynx with large spots are found (Beltrán and Delibes, 1993).
Furthermore, recent genetic studies indicate that the Doñana population has a 30% lower genetic variability
than the lynx from the other remaining lynx population in Sierra Morena (Johnson et al., 2004; Godoy, this
book). Breeding among close relatives (sibling, father-brother) is not unusual within the Doñana population (F.
Palomares et al., unpubl.).
Therefore, there are both demographic and genetic reason to urgently translocate lynx into the source nuclei
of the Doñana population. Here we present some basic considerations to help in the decision-taking process,
regarding where to translocate lynx into the Doñana area. Such considerations also include indications regarding
ecological and behavioural traits of the lynx, which might affect the results of the translocation.
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1. Source area?
Yes
No
STOP
2. Adequate
vegetation?
Yes
No
STOP
3. Enough
rabbits?
Yes
No
STOP
4. Enough range?
(300-500 ha)
Yes
No
STOP
TRANSLOCATION
Figure 1. Hierarchy tree portraying conditions needed to be met to carry
out an Iberian lynx translocation programme in the Doñana area.
Figure 2. (a) Map of the study area showing the limits of the Doñana
National Park (black line), and matrix (yellow), dispersing (green),
and reproductive (red) habitats for lynx in the Doñana area; (b)
Source areas (non-shadowed areas); (c) Suitable vegetation area
(non-shadowed areas), and (d) Adequate areas for rabbits (yellow
areas).
Figura 2. (a) Mapa del área de estudio mostrando los límites del
Parque Nacional de Doñana (línea negra), y los hábitats de matriz
(amarilla), dispersión (verde) y reproducción (rojo) en el área
de Doñana; (b) áreas fuente (áreas no sombreadas); (c) Áreas de
vegetación adecuada (áreas no sombreadas), y (d) áreas adecuadas
para conejos (áreas en amarillo).
Figura 1. Arbol de jerarquías mostrando las condiciones necesarias
para llevar a cabo un programa de translocación de lince ibérico en
Doñana.
Considerations to carry out lynx translocations in Doñana
Where to translocate lynx: spatial and habitat conditions
Some basic ecological and metapopulation conditions should be met to carry out lynx translocation in Doñana
(Figure 1). These conditions are, in order of importance, that the area 1) should be a potential ecological source
(i.e., where natality surpasses mortality); 2) should have adequate vegetation structure; 3) should have enough
rabbit, and 4) should present enough adequate habitat to accommodate at least to a couple of reproductive
lynx. Specific details for the justifications of these factors can be found in Gaona et al. (1988), Ferreras et al.
(2001), Palomares (this book) and references therein, but briefly are justified because lynx are specialized in the
use of Mediterranean scrubland, they prey on European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), and hold home ranges
of at least 300 ha for areas of best habitat quality. Thus, if lynx are not living in a potential source area –with
the above mentioned characteristics– even if we increase the number of individuals, it will have no net effect on
metapopulation viability.
In the Doñana area, the only part with the potential to be a source is the protected area inside the national
park (Figure 2). There is adequate vegetation in approximately 22 000 ha out of the 55 000 ha that comprise
the national park (Figure 2). However, of these 22 000 ha, there are enough rabbit for lynx in only four patches,
which altogether represent approximately 2 500 ha (Figure 2). Therefore, at present, translocations should be
carried out in these areas if other lynx are not occupying them.
An additional consideration to bear in mind is that only those prime habitat patches located in the south of the
national park have the potential to be expanded as a source area, provided that adequate habitat management
is undertaken to recover rabbits. Therefore, these patches should be considered first when thinking about
potential sites for lynx translocation in Doñana.
Iberian lynx ex situ conservation: an interdisciplinary approach
Astrid Vargas, Christine Breitenmoser & Urs Breitenmoser
Fundación Biodiversidad / IUcn Cat Specialist Group
Considerations for planning Iberian lynx translocations into Doñana National Park
Consideraciones para la planificación de la translocación de lince ibérico en el Parque Nacional de Doñana
Francisco Palomares
Lynx origin
To account for both demographic and genetic aspects, translocated lynx should stem from the Sierra Morena
population. However, from a demographic point of view re-locations of individuals from the Doñana population
that live in sink nuclei, or surplus individuals from other areas within the Doñana area source nuclei, would also be
considered. Nevertheless, Sierra Morena individuals are preferable for this conservation management strategy.
Lynx age and sex ratio
Both adult males and females are intrasexually territorial, and males may overlap several females within their
territories (Palomares, this book). Therefore, males might quickly include released females into their territories.
If male lynx are also released into recipient patches with resident adult males, then there is a high probability
that released males might have to move away due to competitive interactions with resident males.
Therefore, there are three questions that needed to be address in order to provide recommendations
regarding this point. First, we need to know if there are any lynx in the recipient area. If not, at least one male and
one female (depending of the available range) of any age-class should be released. Another possible scenario
is that there is presence of adult males; in such case young or adult females should be released. And finally, if
there is no adult male in the recipient area, young or adult lynx of both sexes could be released.
Season for translocations
If adult male or female are going to be released, timing for translocation should be scheduled for several
months before mating (September-October). This strategy will ensure that both lynx become familiarized with
the new environment before the onset of breeding season and that they also have the opportunity to make
contact with other adjacent lynx. This is particularly important if animals are coming from Sierra Morena. If
released lynx are re-located from other areas of Doñana, release could take place as late as December, closer
to mating season, since they are already acclimated to the Doñana environment. Mating normally occurs in
December-January (Palomares, this book). However, if translocated lynx have not attained reproductive age
(<3 years old), releases should take place out of breeding season in order to prevent strong competitive
interactions with other resident lynx.
•
Translocation methods
The two main methods of releasing carnivores include soft and hard release. Soft release involves a variable preconditioning period in the recipient area before releasing the target species. In contrast, hard release consists
on releasing animal directly into the recipient area without any previous acclimatization phase. If lynx to be
released are from Sierra Morena, soft release is recommended, since both landscape and weather are rather
different between Sierra Morena and Doñana. If lynx to be released are re-located from other Doñana areas,
hard release might be attempted, particularly if dispersing individuals are going to be used, since ecological
factors will be identical.
Final considerations
Individuals to be released should be in perfect health and body condition. Therefore, a thorough health check
up should be carried out before releasing the animal into Doñana (Ryser, this book). Furthermore, there is
information on the presence of some parasites in the Sierra Morena population that are absent in the Doñana
population (Millán et al., 2007; Meli et al., this book), and although the effect on Doñana lynx is not clear,
introduction on new parasites into a “clean” population should be avoided when possible.
On the other hand, the genetic characteristics of lynx could also be considered (Fernández et al., this book) as
some individuals might be more suitable than others to address the genetic problem of the Doñana population.
Thus, lynx from Sierra Morena with alleles that are absent in Doñana might be more adequate for translocation
than animals with a similar genetic structure as that of the Doñana population. Finally, rigorous post-release
monitoring and a sound scientific study should be undertaken to help with the decision making process at least
during the first years of the Programme. Therefore rigorous information on factors affecting the success or failure
of the translocation programme should be quickly incorporated and analyzed at all stages of the process.
441
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