Chega-Madeira expressed, through a press release, “its deep regret for the death of the desert lynx, which occurred in a process that was poorly conducted from the beginning”.
The party led by Miguel Castro considers that “this situation highlights serious flaws in the management and handling of exotic species that must be addressed quickly and responsibly” and highlights that “the death of this animal, which could have been avoided, reflects the need for a deep reflection on the procedures and practices currently in force in our Region”.
“Responsibility for this case must not, and cannot, go unanswered. Human errors throughout this process must be investigated and corrected. The first question mark concerns the permission given to allow an animal of this species to enter Madeira airport, a fact that requires a detailed investigation to avoid similar situations happening again in the future,” the note also states.
Furthermore, Chega-Madeira also considers that “the lack of sensitivity shown by the prosecutor is worrying, in not allowing the lynx to remain in the family environment where it had grown up, under the guardianship of the foster family, in accordance with the law. It is also imperative to investigate with the veterinarians of the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) who accompanied the lynx, about the sedatives used, the amount of the dosages and the time interval between administrations. The lack of clarity and transparency in this process must be addressed seriously”.
In conclusion, and despite the tragic end, “we would like to thank T-Falcon for taking in the lynx, even though the conditions offered were not ideal for this type of animal. The company, with a success rate of over 90% in recovering more than 175 birds this year alone, has demonstrated a commendable commitment to wildlife conservation. This tragedy should serve as a starting point for improving conditions and procedures in the management of cases of this kind.”