Last summer’s terrifying fires that forced the evacuation of Portugal’s only breeding centre for the endangered Iberian lynxes have long since died out, but it is only now that the Centre has been declared fit for the return of the lynxes.

29 lynxes were successfully evacuated to three Centres in Spain, El Acebuche, La Olivilla and Zarza de Granadilla, but only 26 lynxes have returned, happily two have already commenced preparations to be released into the wild so have remained in the Spanish centre, but one did not survive after being taken ill shortly after the move and has since died.

The remaining lynxes have all returned in time for the breeding season, the Portuguese centre has improved firefighting systems and repaired enclosures damaged in the fire at a cost of 1/2 million euros.

Welcome back Algarve lynxes! We missed you.