One of the world’s rarest big cats has come back from the brink of extinction: thanks to conservation efforts, the Iberian lynx is no longer listed as endangered.
For many years, the Iberian lynx, a medium-sized feline species indigenous to the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, has been classified as endangered. At one point, it was believed that this species was teetering on the edge of extinction.
Poaching, habitat loss, and the decline in the population of its primary prey, the European rabbit, led to a dramatic reduction in the Iberian lynx population throughout the 20th century. By 2001, the situation was critical, with only 62 mature Iberian lynxes remaining in their natural habitat.
In response, conservationists implemented a comprehensive plan to save the species from extinction, involving breeding programs, protection initiatives, and habitat restoration.
Additionally, they engaged and educated local communities about the Iberian lynx’s crucial role in the ecosystem. This outreach led to a decrease in poaching and roadkill incidents. Conservation efforts also aimed at boosting the European rabbit population to maintain the lynx’s food supply.
The plan yielded miraculous results: according to 2022 data, there are now 648 adult Iberian lynxes in reserves across Spain and Portugal, with an estimated 2,000 individuals worldwide, including both adults and juveniles.
This significant population increase underscores the effectiveness of coordinated conservation efforts. One conservation leader described it as “the greatest recovery of a cat species ever achieved through conservation.”
“This success is the result of dedicated collaboration among public bodies, scientific institutions, NGOs, private companies, and community members, including local landowners, farmers, gamekeepers, and hunters, along with the financial and logistical support of the European Union LIFE project,” stated Francisco Javier Salcedo Ortiz, coordinator of the LIFE Lynx-Connect project.
The Iberian lynx experienced such a remarkable population recovery that the IUCN has reclassified their status from “endangered” to “vulnerable.”
“It’s truly a tremendous success, reflecting an exponential increase in population size,” said Craig Hilton-Taylor, head of the IUCN Red List, to the Associated Press.
Sarah Durant, Professor at ZSL’s Institute of Zoology, added, “The significant recovery of the Iberian lynx shows that even the most endangered species can be saved from the brink of extinction through dedicated, science-based conservation efforts. This achievement provides hope for wildlife conservationists worldwide.”
While this is news worth celebrating, the Iberian lynx is still not entirely out of danger, and experts will continue their efforts to ensure the species thrives in the wild.
“There is still much work to be done to guarantee that Iberian lynx populations survive and the species recovers throughout its native range,” Ortiz said. “Looking forward, there are plans to reintroduce the Iberian lynx to new areas in central and northern Spain.”
We’re so glad the Iberian lynx has been saved from the brink of extinction and is now thriving in the wild! It’s an inspiring testament to the power of conservation.
