Speaking to the Lusa agency, Samuel Infante, from the Quercus Nature Conservation Working Group, said that the animal was found dead at the end of November on the A23, in the Alcains area, in the municipality of Castelo Branco.

The environmental association highlighted that road kill represents 32% of the deaths of Iberian lynxes marked and monitored by telemetry and recommended that effective measures be implemented in Beira Baixa to protect the species in its habitat.

“Quercus also calls on the government to provide direct support and bonuses to farmers and owners who have the presence of this species on their properties within the scope of the PEPAC-Strategic Plan for the Common Agricultural Policy, similar to what is foreseen to happen for Alentejo and Algarve”, added the association.

According to Quercus, since 2021 the presence of a female, identified as Maguilla, has been monitored in the district of Castelo Branco, in collaboration with the Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation (ICNF).

“During this period, observations and signs of the passage of other specimens in different locations in the region were also recorded, highlighting the potential establishment of the species in the territory,” said the environmental and nature conservation structure.

Quercus explains this presence in part with its proximity to Spanish Extremadura, where there are more than 250 lynxes, many of which cross the border, but warned of the challenges this entails.

“The presence of the Iberian Lynx in Beira Baixa, although positive for the conservation of biodiversity, presents significant challenges, particularly with regard to the risk of being run over on roads”, highlighted the association, in a statement sent to the Lusa agency.