Civil Guard Investigates Hunter Over Deaths of Protected Iberian Lynx and Domestic Cat in Valladolid

The Civil Guard is investigating a man suspected of killing an Iberian lynx, a protected species, and a domestic cat at a hunting reserve in Tordehumos, Valladolid.

The investigation began on September 21, after technicians from the Natural Heritage Foundation of Castilla y León reported that an Iberian lynx named Woodstock had stopped moving. The animal was one of the specimens released as part of the region’s Iberian lynx reintroduction programme.

Woodstock was dispersing through the Montes Torozos area when its GPS tracking system detected no further movement. Technicians from the Foundation, accompanied by Environmental Agents from the Medina de Rioseco region, subsequently located the animal’s carcass.

Initial examinations established that the lynx had died from a gunshot wound inflicted by a firearm.

During their investigation, Civil Guard officers discovered a second incident involving the death of a domestic cat in a nearby area at around the same time.

Investigators confirmed the circumstances of the incidents after examining footage recorded by a night-vision camera mounted on a rifle. The recording showed the animal being killed.

The investigation involved cooperation between the Civil Guard, the Territorial Environment Service, the Natural Heritage Foundation of Castilla y León and the Valladolid Wildlife Recovery Centre (CRAS). Officers also analysed Woodstock’s location and GPS tracking records to help establish what had happened.

Following these enquiries, the Civil Guard identified a man who regularly hunts in the area as the alleged perpetrator of both incidents.

The case has been referred to the Court of Medina de Rioseco and the Environment and Urban Planning Prosecutor’s Office at the Provincial Court of Valladolid.