Granadilla and Grazalema: pioneers of the Iberian lynx's return to the Guarrizas Valley (Jaén)
- lyncisecoturismo
- Oct 22
- 3 min read
Two females that marked a before and after in the conservation of the Iberian lynx 🐾
We've long wanted to dedicate a space to two female Iberian lynxes that were key to the recovery of the species in the Iberian Peninsula: Granadilla and Grazalema.
Born at the La Olivilla Breeding Center (Santa Elena, Jaén)
🐱 Granadilla and Grazalema were born on March 31, 2010 at the La Olivilla Breeding Center.
Their parents, Candiles and Córdoba, were also founders of the ex-situ captive breeding conservation program, originating from the wild population of Sierra Morena.
On December 5, 2010 , at just 8 months old, they were released into a pre-adaptation enclosure along with Granizo, a male of the same age from the eastern Sierra Morena.
Once their adaptation to the natural environment inside the enclosure was confirmed, the three individuals (Granadilla, Grazalema and Granizo) were fully released into the wild on February 14 of the following year, thus becoming the first specimens born in captivity and released into the wild in the history of the lynx.
His role was decisive, ensuring the viability of a new wild population of Iberian lynx in Spain .
The Guarrizas Valley: an ideal habitat for the recovery of the Iberian lynx.
Located in the north of the province of Jaén, the Guarrizas River Valley is characterized by a mosaic of Mediterranean forest, scrubland, and agricultural areas , as well as a high density of wild rabbits , its main prey. Furthermore, social acceptance and collaboration with farm owners, as well as public and private managers, have been determining factors in the project's success.
A symbol of the success of the Iberian lynx recovery project 🌳
🦋 Today, more than a decade later, the extensive Guarrizas Valley is home to nearly 200 specimens , consolidating itself as one of the main nuclei of the species and a privileged place for observing and photographing wild wildlife .
Granadilla and Grazalema are no longer with us.
Unfortunately, the Granadilla and Grazalema sisters were not as lucky after their release.
Grazalema was illegally trapped in a fox trap in Castellar de Santiago (Ciudad Real) in August 2011, dying a few hours later from heat exhaustion on a day when temperatures exceeded 40°C. The case was referred to the courts.
Granadilla was luckier. She settled near the municipality of La Carolina and raised several litters, some of them using the nearby agricultural facilities. This set a record in the history of the Iberian lynx: she was the first female of the species to have a litter of six cubs, an unprecedented feat previously unrecorded in either captive or wild specimens. Although not all survived, Granadilla marked a historic milestone in the biology and reproduction of the Iberian lynx.
A few years ago, Granadilla suffered a serious health problem due to natural causes that led to his death.
Still, their legacy lives on in each new generation of lynxes that roam this Andalusian territory.
Discover the fauna of the Guarrizas Valley 🦊
Would you like to join us to discover the wildlife with local guides in the Sierra de Andújar and the Guarrizas River Valley ?
Experience a unique, responsible ecotourism experience in the heart of the Iberian lynx's habitat and learn about the story of its recovery firsthand.
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