The Iberian lynx could return to Aragon decades after its disappearance. To evaluate its reintroduction, the Department of Environment and Tourism, in the hands of the PP, is going to begin a process of information and citizen participation that will last more than a year. If they confirm the existence of a broad social consensus, the return of the felines could begin throughout 2025, a measure that is opposed by their Vox government partners.

This proposal for popular consultation comes after validating the community’s previous studies that identify two potential areas for the return of the species: the Alcubierre mountain range, in the Monegros region, and the Huerva basin. If the project continues forward , two specimens would initially be reintroduced in each of these areas.

The project began in 2017 after its approval in the Cortes of Aragon, and has recently gained momentum due to the significant increase in the population of rabbits in the Ebro valley, which are causing damage to crops and are the main source of food for the lynx. Iberian.

Now, an extensive citizen participation process will begin that will last more than a year and will include municipalities, the Aragonese Hunting Federation, hunting preserve managers, farmers and other local actors. This seeks to collect contributions, experiences and opinions to make informed decisions about reintroduction.

“It is our obligation to ask the mayors, the regions, the ranchers, the farmers, and all the people of the territory. Based on these participatory processes and your opinions, we will make a decision,” said the counselor, Manuel Blasco.

However, the measure is not liked by its government partners. From the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food, in the hands of Vox, they showed their rejection of the project, considering it “an attack” on the livestock sector.

Councilor Ángel Samper, who met on Thursday with those responsible for the Regional Agro-Environmental Offices (OCA) to learn about their concerns, declared that his department “defends the farmers,” and that they estimate that both the arrival of the bear and the wolf “It is an element of perversion for extensive livestock farming, and so would the lynx.”

Despite their statements, both have wanted to smooth over differences and ensure that there is no controversy or discrepancy between their departments. “Everyone has to do their job,” said Samper, who described the relationship with his counterpart as “very good.”

Even so, he demanded that the citizen survey also consider informing those interviewed that this feline “eats rabbits, but also attacks lambs.” “Wherever there is a lynx, ranchers have a big problem, and that must be said,” he added.

With a current population of 1,668 individuals in Spain, the Iberian lynx continues to be a globally threatened species. If Aragón achieves its reintroduction, it would be the first community in the northern half of the peninsula to recover a population of this species, which would have a positive impact on tourism in the area and would mean an improvement in biodiversity and ecological balance.