Iberian lynx
About the species
The Iberian lynx is the big cat closest to extinction, and is considered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to be critically endangered.
Once common throughout the Iberian peninsula and in the south of France, there are thought to be only around 100 remaining in two isolated groups in Spain. Since 1960 there has been an 80% reduction of the range of the Iberian lynx.
They live mainly in scrubland, are solitary animals except during the mating season, and are most active at twilight. Despite being poor runners, they are highly efficient hunters, using a keen eye and powerful sense of smell to detect their prey up to 300m away.
Challenges and threats
The biggest threat to the Iberian lynx is people. Hunters prize its valuable fur and meat, and although some landowners appreciate its tendency to keep fox and rabbit numbers down, most perceive it as a threat to their game populations.
The Iberian lynx has been legally protected from hunting since the early 1970s, but they still remain the victims of guns, traps and snares, mostly set for other animals.
The Iberian lynx mainly preys on rabbits but disease epidemics, such as myxomatosis, have reduced rabbit populations over the years, in turn reducing their main food source.
Now, new farming methods, building development and roads are the main threats to their habitat and prey. The combination of depleted prey populations and a massive reduction in lynx numbers dating back to the 1960s has fragmented the lynx into tiny communities, which raises fears for its long-term genetic viability and resistance to disease.
A survey in 2002 indicated that the only breeding populations are in two isolated areas: Donana in south-west Spain, and Sierra de Andujar in Sierra Morena (south of Madrid).
WWF in action
Urgent action is needed. WWF is currently carrying out a range of field and policy work activities at European, national and local levels, to protect, manage and restore areas for the Iberian lynx and its prey.
WWF is calling for the Spanish government and the regional government of Andalucia to continue to implement its captive breeding programme and to halt the development of roads through main areas of habitat.
WWF is working with private landowners in core Iberian lynx areas to establish land management agreements that help restore rabbit populations – a key prey for the Iberian lynx.
WWF and its partners in 17 European countries have also established a pressure group, Large Carnivore Initiative, to focus attention on conserving carnivores such as the Iberian lynx. It attempts to maintain and restore, in coexistence with people, viable populations of large carnivores as an integral part of ecosystems and landscapes across Europe.
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