NEWS – Iberian Lynx Escapes Endangered Status with Remarkable Population Surge

HIGHLIGHTS

• The Iberian lynx, once one of the rarest cat species globally, has moved from being ‘endangered’ to ‘vulnerable’ on The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
• Significant population increase from 62 mature individuals in 2001 to 648 in 2022.
• Current population exceeds 2,000, including young lynxes, across Spain and Portugal.
• 14 stable breeding clusters identified, predominantly in Spain, with one in Portugal.

Historical Context

• The Iberian lynx faced sharp declines from the 1960s due to:

• • Habitat loss
  • Poaching
  • Road accidents

Conservation Efforts

• Key measures for recovery included:

• • Habitat restoration
  • Boosting populations of the lynx’s primary prey, the European rabbit

• Francisco Javier Salcedo Ortiz led conservation efforts, noting the recovery as a significant success for cat species conservation.
• Future plans involve reintroducing the Iberian lynx to new sites in central and northern Spain.

Population and Habitat Expansion

• The area inhabited by the Iberian lynx expanded from 449 sq km in 2005 to 3,320 sq km today.
• Despite success, the IUCN cautions against complacency due to ongoing threats such as:

• • Diseases
  • Poaching
  • Road accidents

SPECIES INFORMATION

• About:

• • One of two carnivore species native to Europe, alongside the European mink (Mustela lutreola).
  • Scientific name: Lynx pardinus

• Physical Characteristics:

• • Pointed ears, long legs, and leopard-like spotted fur.
  • Sexual dimorphism: males are typically heavier and longer than females.

• Behavior:

• • Primarily nocturnal, with activity patterns aligned with its main prey, the rabbit.

• Habitat:

• • Thrives in varied terrain below 1300 meters, featuring closed Mediterranean scrubland and open grassland patches near marshy areas.

• Distribution:

• • Previously widespread across the Iberian Peninsula, now primarily in Spain and Portugal.
  • Population increased from 62 mature individuals in 2001 to over 2,000 today, including young lynxes.

Ongoing Threats

• Survival remains threatened by human activities:

• • Poaching
  • Habitat destruction
  • Illegal hunting
  • Depletion of food sources

Conservation Status

• The IUCN Red List, established in 1964, assesses the conservation status of species worldwide, providing vital conservation information.
• The Iberian lynx is currently listed as ‘vulnerable,’ reflecting its improved but still precarious status.