According to Samuel Infante, this “is good news” and “a challenge” for its conservation in the region, where the presence of the species was consolidated this year.

“In Castelo Branco, after more than 30 years of regular absence, the presence of the species was detected in 2021,” he said.

“Since 2021, Quercus and the ICNF [Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests] have been monitoring the presence of a female in the region”, he highlighted.

The environmentalist also said that, in the last year, in addition to the presence of this female (Maguilla), “there have been observations of other individuals, as well as the collection of evidence in several places in the region, which indicates at least the passage of other specimens”.

According to Quercus, the Iberian lynx population in Portugal and Spain reached 1,668 individuals in 2022.

In Portugal, the number increased from 209 to 261 in 2022, with 86 cubs born that year.

Samuel Infante added that there are currently 176 animals in Spanish Extremadura, so it is expected that they will cross the border and enter Beira Baixa.