ARTICLE
(Thanks to Earth Times for the story)
The Spanish Environment Ministry has decided to stop the construction of a 300-kilometre motorway to save the Iberian lynx, the world's most threatened feline species. The motorway would link Toledo with Cordoba, passing through two nature parks containing two of the country's three most important lynx populations, the daily El Pais reported.
"It does not make sense to spend millions in a programme to raise lynxes in captivity... if a motorway then divides the most important lynx areas," ecologist Miguel Angel Hernandez said.
The construction of the motorway has already started, though that stretch will also form part of another motorway.
The Environment Ministry delayed its announcement until after the May 27 local elections for fear of protests from the regional authorities.
Environment Minister Cristina Narbona has blocked nearly half a dozen large infrastructure projects for environmental reasons, according to El Pais.
There are only about 100 Iberian lynxes left. The cat, also known as the Spanish lynx, has distinctive, leopard-like spots on its yellowish coat.
ONLY IN SPAIN
A few years back, 1991-2, the AVE fast train link from Madrid to Seville was inaugurated (AVE means bird so bear that in mind). It went through several important ecological sites of special scientific interest but the government made a special play as to how the line hadn't ruined any natural habitats and all precautions had been taken to make sure that natural laws were not affected. One of the protected areas was for a rare type of Vulture. One day a deer was knocked down on the track and became carrion for the vultures. The next train came along at over 200kmph and sent eight of the vultures to meet their maker thus reducing the wild population by 66% at a stroke. Four were left. Hopefully they didn't spot a bit of carrion on the line as a result of the incident!
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