Proposals for Urbanisation within Andujar lynx area
The Ayuntamiento de Andujar (Andujar local Government) is proposing to
alter the classification of a key 1000 ha area within and adjacent to one of
only two surviving Iberian Lynx breeding areas. The
Iberian Lynx is the most endangered big cat species in the world, and there are only about 100 surviving mature
individuals. The Andujar population contains about 80 of these individuals,
including 21 of the 26 known breeding females.
The urbanisation proposal threatens the largest and most important
Iberian Lynx population, centred around the Sierra de
Andujar Natural Park in Northern Andalusia, Spain. The 1000 ha area is
currently classified as protected and not for urbanisation. Part of this area
is used for lynx feeding and breeding, and thus the area should, by European
law, be included in Natura 2000 areas, and re-classified for greater
protection. Instead, the Ayuntamiento de Andujar is proposing to reduce to
protection of this area.
The urbanisation
proposals will threaten the survival of the Iberian Lynx by:
- Threatening the
largest and most important wild population; the smaller Doñana population
being already too small and isolated to be viable in the long term.
- Increasing road
traffic within the Andujar lynx area; road traffic being the single most
important cause of non-natural mortality of this critically endangered
species.
- Consuming
valuable habitat; important for the survival and expansion of this most
important Iberian Lynx population.
- Impeding communcation of lynx and other
species between adjacent protected areas.
A map, showing the location of the area to be re-classified for
urbanisation, can be found below. The proposals will combine legalising
currently illegal dwellings in this area (which should never have been built
and which should now be removed), with encouraging further construction, mainly
of second and holiday homes.
If you would like to contact the Ayuntamiento de Andujar
with your concerns and comments regarding the proposed urbanisation, please
direct correspondences to:
Excmo. Ayuntamiento de Andújar
Plaza de
España, 1
23740 – ANDÚJAR
ANDALUSIA, SPAIN.
Telephone: 00 34 953 508 200
Iberian Lynx
Distribution
Guzman et al (2002) “Lynx
distribution in Andujar-Cardeña”.
|
|
Sierra de
Andujar Natural Park
Natura
2000 areas
Other
classified nature areas
Area proposed
to be re-classified for Urbanisation (approx. 1000ha)
|
|
Secondary Road
to Puertollano
|
|
