The release in recent days of Iberian lynxes bred in captivity has highlighted the recovery from the brink of extinction of this emblematic species.
At the turn of the millennium there were less than 50 of these native cats left in Spain. But, in little over 20 years since then, there has been a miraculous surge in the population. Figures released by the ministry for the ecological transition (MITECO) last year show that 2,021 lynxes were counted in Spain and Portugal in 2023.
So why did things get so bad and how has this native cat been able to make such an incredible comeback?
MITECO explains that the ‘decline of the population of Iberian lynxes was constant from the 1950s at least until 2004’.
“Human persecution and the decline in the wild rabbit population were the principal causes which took this species to the edge of extinction,” they state.
In 2002 only two isolated nuclei remained. The realisation that Iberia could lose one of its most amazing animals led to transformation in thinking and policy.
“The recuperation of the Iberian lynx in Spain and Portugal is one of the best examples of conservation of endangered species in the world,” says MITECO.
It was possible thanks to the coordinated efforts made by public administrations, NGOs, landowners and the general public, they note.
The LIFE programmes launched by the European Union and governments of Spain and Portugal from 2002 have been ‘key’ to improving reproduction and survival rates of the lynx, and revamping their habitat.
The breeding in captivity programme has also been vital; the first of these lynxes were released into the wild in 2011 and since then 440 of the cats have been introduced.
This colossal effort and investment has led to even more spectacular results in recent years. The Iberian lynx population passed 1,000 in 2020 and then doubled in number by 2023, reaching 2,021.
This translated to 1,299 adults and young adults; with 722 cubs born in the wild in 2023. And 406 females produced cubs that year. MITECO notes that a count of 750 mature females is the milestone that has to be reached for the Iberian lynx to have a ‘favourable conservation status’.
Most of the lynx population is found in two regions; 43.6% in Andalucía (755) and 41.3% in Castilla-La Mancha (715). The remainder are in Extremadura (253) and Murcia (seven), with 291 in Portugal.
And while lynx are expanding their range on their own, animals are also being released in new areas. This week Ventolera and Uraclio were the first lynxes to be introduced in the province of Cuenca in Castilla-La Mancha; a one-year-old female and two-year-old male. Another five are set to join them in an area with an adundence of rabbits.
A two-year study had been carried out to ensure they would have a ready source of food, as well as sufficient vegetation to provide refuge; and that they would be safe from poisoning and road traffic.
The previous week two lynxes bred in captivity were released in the municipality of Guillena in Sevilla province.
Councillor for the environment in Andalucía region, Catalina García, said: “We have demonstrated that the conservation of the Iberian lynx is possible with planning, effort and collaboration.
“Andalucía has led this process and will continue to promote actions that guarantee a stable future for the lynx and its natural habitat.”
The area chosen is in the Sierra Morena mountains in order to ‘boost connectivity different populations of the species’.
Sra García said it is an intermediary zone between two established communities.
“Connectivity between these areas is essential to guarantee a large functioning population which is self-sufficient and will have genetic diversity that allows long-term stability,” she said.
The establishment of ecological corridors between lynx settlements is one of the central policies in the fight to ensure the survival of this unique wild cat.
To this end, another four lynxes were due to be released this week in the Sierra Arana in Granada province in order to ‘strengthen the presence in a historic zone for the species’.
The councillor highlighted how the ‘Life LynxConnect’ project has promoted breeding in captivity programmes.
It is also working with farmers, hunters, landowners and scientists to ‘guarantee compatibility between the conservation of the lynx and rural development’.
“Protecting biodiversity benefits the environment and generates economic opportunities and jobs in our rural areas,” added Sra García.
She concluded: “The Iberian lynx is an emblem of what we can achieve when we join forces in favour of biodiversity.”
The Iberian lynx is a spotted carnivore that lives in scrublands, cleared forests and similar habitats of the Mediterranean domain. It is one of four lynx species that exist around the world along with the red lynx or bobcat from central Canada to northern Mexico; Canada lynx in the forests of Canada and northern US; and the Boreal lynx in forests of Europe and northern and central Asia.
Life lynx connect explain that the four lynx species share common physical characteristics such as short tails, ears with a tuft of long hairs at their tips (known as brushes) and beards. However, their body sizes are the result of each species’ adaptations to habitat and diet, ranging from the 6kg on average of the bobcat, the smallest of the four, to the Boreal lynx which can reach 30kg.
The Iberian lynx is a medium size strict carnivore, says Life lynx connect. Its average weight is around 12.5kg, with an average length of about 80cm. Their height at the withers of about 45cm ‘gives them a graceful appearance’, they note.
It also has other characteristics typical of felines; striking frontal eyes which provide precise distances measuring; big eyeballs for low light conditions; hirsute, triangular ears for a sharp hearing capable of detecting the discreet walking of the rabbit’s fur-insulated feet; and disproportionately large paws, useful for firmly grasping its prey, with sharp claws to prevent it from escaping, says Life lynx connect.
Despite its broad food spectrum, the rabbit is its main prey and constitutes around 90% of its diet.
“Its striking high rump, as the result of its long hind legs, allows very advantageous jumps when hunting,” states Life lynx connect.
“Its dentition is that of a strict carnivore, with large canines for the fatal blow, molars for tearing up large pieces of meat and small incisors.”
Read more about the Life lynx connect programme at https://lifelynxconnect.eu/en/
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