The Endangered Iberian lynx

Who couldn't love this face??

Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Familiar eyes

Face as regal as it is wild

Remind us there is more to know 

And behold on earth

Than that which we control

Wildcat!

May you roam free once more

What on earth is an Iberian lynx?

The Iberian lynx is a critically endangered species of feline. In fact, the Iberian lynx is the world’s most endangered feline. Intense conservation efforts are currently underway in an attempt to save this beautiful wildcat from extinction.

Why is the Iberian lynx in danger?

• Habitat loss. The Iberian lynx is specialized and adapted to its habitat. Historically the Iberian lynx lived in throughout the countries of Spain and Portugal. However human encroachment into its habitat today has severely restricted its territory to a few limited areas in southern Spain. See this dramatic depiction of the reduction in the Iberian lynx's range map here.
  
• Hunting. Considered as a prize trophy by hunters and as a nuisance by landowners, hunting of the Iberian lynx has also reduced its numbers. Thankfully it is no longer legal to hunt these cats.
• Disruptions in its food chain. The majority of the Iberian lynx’s diet consists of rabbits. In the 20th century, the European rabbit population was decimated by two epidemics. First was a disease called myxomatosis, which was introduced by humans. Second came a disease called VHD (viral hemorrhagic disease). Unlike other affected predators in the region, the Iberian lynx still relies on rabbits for approximately 75% of its food!

Habitat loss + Hunting + Few rabbits = Almost no Iberian lynx!

What’s so special about the Iberian lynx anyway?

This cat matters! If the Iberian lynx goes extinct, it will literally be the first time in all of history that a feline species went extinct as a result of human beings. That is one distinction we humans should not be proud of!

Will the Iberian Lynx really go extinct?

Good question! A decade ago there were thought to be 200 Iberian lynx in the wild.This put the Iberian lynx into what’s called a “pre-extinction phase”. Without intervention, the world might lose the Iberian lynx forever. That's why conservationists are working so hard to protect this lynx through captive breeding and reintroduction programs.

New hope: all is not lost for this lynx 

Good news! For the first time, scientists have collected and preserved embryos from the Iberian lynx. Scientists hope they will be able to implant fertilized eggs into a surrogate (such as another species of lynx). A successful pregnancy could help boost Iberian lynx numbers. See March 2013 Live Science article here.   

RESOURCES!

Video: Earthrise - Saving the Iberian Lynx

Check out this short from Al Jazeera English’s program "Earthrise" to see how scientists are working hard to reintroduce the Iberian Lynx into the wild.

Video: National Geographic - Spain's Last Lynx 

Delve intimately into the world of the Iberian Lynx in this beautiful documentary! Learn about its habitat, life, and the other creatures it must compete with in the wild to stay alive.

Links:
Iberian Lynx page on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

World Wildlife Fund page on the Iberian Lynx
 
Iberian lynx article on Scientific American blog "Extinction Countdown": 
"Deadly Rabbit Disease May Have Doomed Iberian Lynx"

April 2013 El Mundo article in Spanish on the recent rise in Iberian lynx numbers in Andalucia, Spain.


Iberian lynx page on Wikipedia