New arrivals move in

JAVO and Judia, two three-year-old Iberian lynxes, have been re-housed at Selwo Aventura.
The Junta de Andalucia regional government’s environmental department handed over the pair, which were born at its La Olivilla breeding centre in Jaen but not found to be suitable for release into the wild, or to contribute genetically to the breeding in captivity programme.
For this reason, and as the safari park in Estepona had applied to house lynxes, the two animals have been transferred to the park to allow visitors to view them and learn more about the breed’s situation and the problems it faces.
Javo was born on March 15, 2012. His brothers Jason and Jabalcuz were released into the wild when they were one-year-old.
Judia was born on March 27 the same year, and her siblings Juncia and Juglans joined the Iberian Lynx Breeding in Captivity Programme.
The Junta stated that parks and centres wishing to house lynxes that cannot be used for the breeding programme must provide facilities adapted to the animals’ needs and an educational programme on the recovery and conservation of the breed.
Prior to agreeing to hand over Javo and Judia, members of the Iberian Lynx Conservation Programme team made a number of visits to Selwo to inspect the facilities, kitchens, safety measures, staff qualifications, veterinary clinic and education programme, to ensure the new additions would be well cared for.