World's Most Endangered Wild Cat

Iberian Lynx Confronts Extinction With Help From Humans

© Dawn M. Smith

Aug 9, 2007

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) has been named the most endangered wild cat by the IUCN. It is feared that it may become the first wild cat to go extinct in nearly 2000 years. In a strange twist of fate, the loss of a common animal, the rabbit, has been a major contributing factor to the decline of the species. But habitat fragmentation also plays an important role, as does harassment by humans. Steps to recover the species include a captive breeding program, a rabbit population restoration project, public education programs and creation of reserves where Iberian lynx are protected.

Wild Lynx Populations and Decline of Rabbits

Only two wild populations of Iberian lynx are considered viable at present. One is in Coto Donana National Park and the other is in the Sierra Morena. There has also been some recent evidence of the presence of a few lynx in the Montes do Toledo.

The Iberian lynx separated from the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) about a million years ago, surviving largely on European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), a species well adapted to the harsh dry climate of Spain and Portugal. In autumn, rabbits make up 75-100% of the lynx’s diet. The rabbit population on the Iberian Peninsula has been decimated by two diseases- first myxomatosis, which was intentionally introduced into Europe in the 1950s, then Viral Hemorrhagic Pneumonia which arrived in the 1980s. While the death rates from both diseases are falling, habitat loss and increases in other predator species such as foxes, mongoose and genets are contributing to the slow recovery of the rabbit population.

Two projects are working to turn things around for the Iberian lynx:

A captive breeding program based in Donana National Park

The captive breeding was started with at-risk Iberian lynx cubs. Three cubs are commonly born to each female but the third rarely survives, so conservationists captured a number of 3rd cubs for rearing and captive breeding. But there had been little success in getting these lynx to breed in captivity until 2005. Since then cubs have been born each year. The numbers are small, however, and are only expected to supplement the wild population.

A monitoring, habitat restoration and public awareness program in Montes de Toledo-Guadalmena area.

Iberian lynx monitoring activities include analysis of scat (feces) for genetic information, use of camera traps and physical surveys of the area to locate animals, evaluate their habitat use and track human-caused mortality in traps, snares and from poaching. Habitat alteration and destruction as well as road-related mortalities (which has become a significant problem for the Donana population as busy roads cut through their territories) are also recorded.

The major focus of the habitat restoration project is the restoration of rabbit populations. To that end, refuges and warrens for the rabbits are created on protected land, often through cooperative agreements with landowners. Pastures are being restored and secondary feeding stations provided for the rabbits to ensure they have adequate food.

The public awareness program may be one of the most important.parts of the Iberian lynx recovery project. Informing people of the presence of a highly endangered species which has a strong historical link with the both Spain and Portugal and encouraging their participation in its recovery will make habitat restoration and protection more easily possible.

With just over 100 Iberian lynx left in isolated pockets throughout the Iberian Peninsula the chances of recovery are not great. But it will be worth the effort to prevent the first wild cat extinction in 2000 years, especially since it is one for which humans would be primarily responsible.

Iberian Lynx

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