Uraclio, the Iberian Lynx, Chooses Madrid as its Home, Defying Expectations
Madrid, February 22 – Uraclio, a two-and-a-half-year-old Iberian lynx, has unexpectedly settled in the northeast of Madrid, specifically in an area encompassing the municipalities of Villalbilla, Corpa, Santos de la Humosa, and Anchuelo. Originally from Montes de Toledo and part of a reintroduction program in Castilla-La Mancha, Uraclio’s prolonged stay of seven months in the region has surprised experts, who initially believed Madrid would only be a transit zone for the animal.
A Surprising Stay in the Capital Region
Laura Castro Noval, Head of the Protected Habitats and Species Area of the Community of Madrid, remarked to LA RAZÓN that Uraclio is the latest-or perhaps the first in a long time-Iberian lynx to inhabit the region, as none had been sighted there for many years. The last time an Iberian lynx was believed to be in the Community of Madrid was around 2006, when the species was considered extinct in the area.
Successful Captive Breeding Programs
The Iberian lynx, endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, faced near extinction in the 1980s, with fewer than a hundred individuals remaining in the early 21st century, primarily in Doñana and Sierra Morena. However, ambitious captive breeding programs initiated by various administrations have been remarkably successful. Unlike other failed attempts with species like the capercaillie or the European bison, the lynx program has been a global success story, with Spain now boasting approximately 2,400 specimens.
Uraclio, though born in Montes de Toledo, was relocated to a reintroduction area in Cuenca in the spring of last year. Castro explained that a working group among autonomous communities aims to restore the lynx to its original territories. This involves significant efforts by administrations to establish new zones for captive-bred lynxes, moving them from more established environments to new areas.
Movement Patterns and Habitat Suitability
In June 2025, Uraclio began a ‘dispersive movement,’ a common behavior, especially among males. It was during that summer that he arrived in the Alcalá Alcarria region of Madrid. Technicians from Castilla-La Mancha alerted their Madrid counterparts, thanks to the GPS collar Uraclio wears, which transmits daily signals. The Directorate General of Biodiversity and Forest Management, along with the regional Forest Agents Corps, located him and confirmed his good health.
To the surprise of experts, Uraclio has not left the region’s boundaries since then. The presence of a suitable habitat and sufficient food availability, primarily rabbits, appear to have convinced him to stay. “The Iberian lynx is a predator and a very specific consumer of rabbits. It prefers areas that are not excessively wooded, with patches of cultivation where rabbits usually move. It has a fairly defined habitat,” Castro noted.
Future Prospects for a Stable Lynx Population in Madrid
Experts acknowledge that Uraclio could still decide to move elsewhere. For the Iberian lynx to be considered a stable species in the Community of Madrid, reproduction with a female and the birth of cubs are necessary. To facilitate this, the Protected Species Area is actively searching for suitable reintroduction areas in the region. Key requirements include a sufficient rabbit population for sustenance and a low density of infrastructure, particularly roads, as road accidents have been a major cause of lynx mortality.
The area where Uraclio currently roams, between Villalbilla, Corpa, Santos de la Humosa, and Anchuelo, could be a promising reintroduction zone. The Ministry of Environment, Agriculture, and Interior is completing a habitat study, incorporating recommendations from the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge’s lynx working group. Additionally, the regional executive has signed an agreement with National Heritage to include the El Pardo surface in the reintroduction zone.
Lessons from the Past: The Case of Kentaro
Castro also recalled the tragic story of Kentaro, another Iberian lynx from Montes de Toledo, who traveled over 3,000 kilometers between Spain and Portugal before being fatally hit by a car in Porto in 2016. This highlights the critical need for safe environments and measures to prevent such incidents.
Uraclio, described by Laura Castro as a “big cat” measuring between 80 centimeters and 1.30 meters, is entirely harmless. “If someone crosses paths with him, congratulations. He can be observed or photographed, but it’s best not to disturb him. And if you are with dogs, just keep them under control,” she advised.
The adage that “in Madrid, no one asks where you’re from” now extends to all species, especially those that haven’t inhabited the region for two decades. With a bit of luck, Uraclio will truly feel at home.
