Iberian Lynx

Of all the big cats in the world, the Iberian or Spanish lynx is closest to extinction. In fact, the Iberian lynx is considered by IUCN to be critically endangered and is the world's most endangered cat species. Once common throughout the Iberian Peninsula and into the south of France, there may now be fewer than 200 remaining in isolated pockets in Spain and Portugal. Between 1960 and 1990 the Iberian lynx suffered an 80% reduction in its range. If prompt action is not taken to save them, this species is likely to become extinct in the wild within 10-20 years.

Europe is home to two species of lynx, the Iberian and the Eurasian. Iberian lynxes are about half the size of their Eurasian counterparts, dark yellow or brown in colour, heavily spotted, with long legs, very short tails and distinctive black ear tufts. Despite their poor performance as runners, they are highly efficient hunters, with keen eyesight and a powerful sense of smell that enables them to detect their prey at distances of up to 300m.

Their favoured habitat is scrubland with scattered open areas. They are solitary animals except during the mating season and are most active at twilight. It is usual for three or four kittens to be born in April, and these will remain with their mother until the following spring.

Current threats & problems. The biggest threat to the Iberian lynx was and still is posed by man. Ironically, it has been regarded both as an attractive hunting trophy and as vermin. Hunters prized its valuable fur and its 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 was legally protected against hunting from the early 1970s, but they are still the victims of guns, traps and snares, particularly those set for other animals.

Rabbits form the main prey of the Iberian lynx. Epidemics, such as myxamatosis, have affected rabbit populations over the years, which has in turn affected the Iberian lynx population. Now, the key threats to their habitat and prey are changed farming methods, building development and roads. It is thought that between 1960 and 1990, the Iberian lynx suffered an 80 per cent loss in its range. This, coupled with depleted prey populations, has fragmented the lynx into tiny communities, which raises fears for its genetic viability and resistance to disease. A survey in 2002 indicated that the only breeding populations are in two isolated areas - Donana in the south-west of Spain, and Sierra de Andujar in Sierra Morena (south of Madrid). The map below shows the existing Iberian lynx areas (black) and the areas where the Iberian lynx might still exist (red question marks).

What needs to be done. In addition to maintaining and restoring habitats for their long-term survival, urgent and critical steps must be taken now. The captive breeding programme must be fully implemented, as a matter of urgency, to help to restore the population. This will provide a vital gene bank and these animals can be used to recolonise areas where the populations have collapsed.

Also, more reliable research into lynx populations, location and the state of the prey base is needed, and it may be necessary to move individual animals or groups in order to aid the recovery of isolated communities of Iberian lynx.

Now that the range of the Iberian lynx is so limited, the task of protecting its habitat is somewhat easier than with many other animals. Core "Iberian lynx areas" must be fully protected through the designation of areas of European importance (namely 'Natura 2000' sites). Buffer zones and land that links the core areas ('corridors') must be protected from damage, and managed appropriately. Incentives for landowners are needed to ensure that the management of their land encourages the lynx.

At the European level, the Common Agricultural Policy needs to be changed to encourage land owners to improve their land for the Iberian lynx, especially in the existing lynx areas, and to stop intensive agriculture that can form a barrier to the expansion of the population. Extensive, more environmentally-friendly farming methods need to be maintained and encouraged.

The European Structural Funds provide funds to countries to improve their infrastructure. These funds should not be spent on infrastructure (eg. roads) that affects the habitat of the Iberian lynx, as this results in further fragmentation of the population and will threaten the survival of this species.

What WWF is doing. Some years ago, WWF and its partners in 17 European countries established a pressure group (Large Carnivore Initiative – more information can be found at www.large-carnivores-lcie.org/) to focus attention on conserving carnivores, including the Iberian lynx. Its purpose is to maintain and restore, in coexistence with people, viable populations of large carnivores as an integral part of ecosystems and landscapes across Europe.

Now, WWF is carrying out a range of activities (field and policy work) at European, national and local levels, in order to protect, manage and restore areas for the Iberian lynx and its prey. WWF has been working to ensure that Governments at different levels designate and ensure the suitable management of a suite of protected areas, and that the captive breeding plan progresses.

WWF feels strongly that the captive breeding plan is critical to the survival of the Iberian lynx at this stage and has been highlighting this with key Government bodies (see Panda Passport). In Spain, WWF has also been working with private landowners in the core Iberian lynx areas, to establish land management agreements (eg. stopping rabbit hunting, restricting the hunting of predators and restoring rabbit populations).

WWF is also working to ensure that the EU Common Agricultural Policy and Structural Fund Policy both work in favour of species such as the Iberian lynx and their habitats, rather than causing habitat loss or deterioration, and further fragmentation.