Silves Iberian lynx centre seeks volunteers

Portugal’s National Iberian Lynx Breeding Centre (CNRLI) in Silves is looking for volunteers to help support one of Europe’s most successful wildlife conservation programmes.

The Institute for Nature Conservation and Forests (ICNF) has opened applications for nine volunteer placements at the centre, offering participants the chance to work alongside specialists helping to protect one of the world’s rarest wild cats.

The programme includes four placements running from August to October and a further five between November and January. Each placement lasts three months, with volunteers joining the centre’s ethology and video surveillance team.

Applicants should be motivated and preferably have a background in natural sciences, ethology or behavioural sciences, although ICNF says training will be provided.

Successful candidates will receive free accommodation at the breeding centre, personal accident insurance and a daily meal allowance equivalent to the Portuguese meal subsidy for each eight-hour shift.

Established in 2009, the Silves facility plays a central role in the Iberian lynx conservation programme, breeding animals in captivity before preparing them for release into the wild as part of efforts to restore populations across the Iberian Peninsula.

The centre welcomed 11 cubs this year and has recorded 192 births since opening, supplying lynx for reintroduction programmes in Portugal and Spain.

Applications should be submitted by email to [email protected].

The recruitment comes just weeks after ICNF reversed plans to replace the centre’s long-standing management team following widespread criticism from environmental organisations, politicians and Spanish conservation partners. The authority ultimately decided to retain the existing team under a new service contract, ensuring continuity at what is regarded as one of Europe’s most successful species recovery programme.

Michael Bruxo

Journalist for the Portugal Resident.