The Iberian lynx, once nearing extinction, saw a population recovery due to concerted conservation efforts. However, recent political maneuvers by regional governments in Spain, influenced by farming and hunting interests, threaten this progress. Farmers argue that the lynx preys on livestock, despite experts like Ramon Perez de Ayala asserting that such incidents are rare. Opposition from the far-right Vox party highlights the clash between conservation and agricultural interests, illustrating a complex interplay of politics and environmental strategy in Spain's species recovery efforts.
"Claiming the wildcat preys on livestock, opponents of the lynx have made breakthroughs, threatening to undo efforts that helped its population grow to about 2,000 across Spain and Portugal."
"Often, the lynx was falling victim not to serious objections but to unrelated political bickering, according to Ramon Perez de Ayala of the WWF."
"Samper claimed the wildcats were attacking sheep. Perez de Ayala, Spain's leading expert on the lynx, says attacks on livestock are practically nonexistent."
"Jorge Valero, the head of the Aragon government's hunting and fishing department, also of Vox, opposed the reintroduction of the lynx, saying: It's wrong to bring them back just because they were here 20 or 100 years ago."
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