The population of this European species has more than tripled in two years thanks to conservation efforts.
There is good news for wildlife: one of Europe’s most important carnivores is recovering from its ““almost extinction”. Until recently, the Iberian lynx was on the list of threatened species of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The population of this medium sized wildcatendemic to the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, had been declining due to excessive huntingthe poaching and the habitat loss suitable.
Its main prey, the rabbit European, it is also increasingly scarce due to diseases such as myxomatosis. Now, however, the IUCN has downgraded the status of the Iberian lynx after conservation efforts bore fruit.
A success of conservation actions
The IUCN has changed the status of the lynx Iberian from endangered to vulnerable in your Red List of Threatened Species. The organization states that the species “continues its spectacular recovery from near extinction thanks to the sustained efforts of conservation.”
“As the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species celebrates its 60th anniversary, its importance as the most comprehensive source of information on the status of the species cannot be overstated. biodiversityworld,” explains Grethel AguilarDirector General of the IUCN.
“It is an essential tool that measures progress towards halting nature loss and achieving global conservation goals. biodiversity by 2030.” “Improving the status of Iberian Lynxin the Red List shows that successful conservation works for both wildlife and communities,” he adds. Aguilar.
What conservation measures have been taken to protect the Iberian lynx?
The Iberian lynx population increased exponentially, going from 62 individuals matured in 2001 648 in 2022. Today, the total population, including lynxesyoung and mature, it is estimated at more than 2,000 specimens.
Conservation efforts for this keystone species have focused on increasing the abundance of its prey, the rabbit European (Oryctolagus cuniculus) endangered, protect and restore The habitat of Mediterranean scrub and forest and reduce deaths caused by human activity.
The expansion of the genetic diversity of the species through translocations and an ex situ breeding program has also been key to increasing its number.
Since 2010, more than 400 Iberian lynxes in areas of Portugal and Spain. The Iberian lynx now occupies at least 3,320 km2, which represents an increase compared to 49 km2 in 2005.
Future conservation efforts still needed to protect the Iberian lynx
“Looking to the future, there are plans to reintroduce the Iberian lynx in new places in central and northern Spain,” he says. Francisco Javier SalcedoProject coordinator LIFE Lynx-Connectwho directed the conservation actions of the Iberian lynx, describes this achievement as “the greatest recovery of a species feline never achieved thanks to conservation.
“This success is the result of committed collaboration between public bodies, scientific institutions, NGOs, private companies and community members, including local landowners, farmers, hunting guards y huntersand the financial and logistical support of the Programa LIFE of the European Union,” he says.
He adds that there is still much work to be done to ensure the survival of the populations of Iberian lynx and the recovery of the species throughout its native distribution area.
The Iberian lynx remains threatened, mainly due to possible fluctuations in the European rabbit population due to virus outbreaks.
It is also susceptible to domestic cat diseases. Thepoaching and road kill remains a threat, especially where busy roads cut through lynx habitat. Habitat alterations related to climate change are also a growing threat.
“Looking to the future, there are plans to reintroduce the Iberian lynx in new places in central and northern Spain,” says Salcedo. The first IUCN Species Green Status assessment – the global standard for measuring species recovery and assessing their impact in conservation classifies the Iberian lynx as a widely depleted species.
However, its high Conservation Legacy reflects the impact of conservation efforts made to date, and “sufficient suitable habitat remains for the species to achieve a full recovery status in 100 yearsassuming that conservation efforts continue with maximum effectiveness,” the organization states.
