The right of the Iberian lynx to co-exist with local communities. How conserving endangered species can contribute to a better future in rural areas

Increasing from 100 to 2400 specimens in just two decades, the project is being implemented in four regions in Spain and two in Portugal that are facing the threat of depopulation. It has a very strong territorial focus and involves the participation of the population in different ways: a) through local stakeholders as project partners, which represents the highest level of commitment and involvement; b) through collaboration agreements between project partners and landowners, which generates resilient alliances, creates rural employment and makes it possible to implement conservation measures on private farms; and c) by communication and awareness-raising actions for local communities.