Iberian Lynx: a significant step in preserving European biodiversity
02 July 2024
After two decades of efforts by Portuguese and Spanish authorities, the Iberian lynx is no longer an endangered species. Its population has grown from 62 adults in 2001 to over 2,000 in 2024, doubling in the last three years.
Ten years ago, the Iberian lynx was the most endangered feline in the world; today, it is celebrated as "the greatest recovery of a feline species ever achieved," according to Francisco Ortiz, coordinator of the recovery project.
This medium-sized wild cat weighing under 14 kilograms and about one metre long, mainly feeds on rabbits. But the decline in rabbit numbers – due to hunting and disease, road accidents, and habitat loss – had threatened the lynx's existence.
In response to the low lynx population numbers in the 1998 census, Portuguese and Spanish authorities quickly created a joint action plan to save it from extinction. The latest cross-border initiative, the EU-funded LIFE Lynx-Connect, has been particularly successful.
Francisco Ortiz says the key to success was having biologists and veterinarians, politicians, universities, companies, hunters, and farmers work together. The beauty of the Iberian lynx has also contributed to its survival and raised public support.
 | Tomás Pires Biodiversity and the wilderness are often overlooked when thinking about Europe, which we perceive as very urban. In the collective imagination, they are more frequently associated with the vast savannas of Africa or the dense jungles of South America. Yet, the loss of flora and fauna equally affects Europe. Since 2015, 36 animal species have become extinct on the continent, and nearly 1,700 species are at risk, according to the European Red List for Endangered Species. While protecting endangered species may not seem a priority to everyone, having a variety of animals and plants helps keep ecosystems healthy and resilient. Ecosystems are interconnected like a chain, so disrupting one link can cause a cascade effect throughout the whole system. For example, the Iberian lynx helps control rabbit populations and keep the ecosystem in balance. Without the lynx, rabbits could become too numerous and over consume plants, which are a crucial food source for other herbivores. |
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