The rarest lynx, and possibly the rarest wild cat, is the most elusive species in the world. However, thanks to cameras and tracking collars, they are also one of the most closely monitored species in the world. Also known as the Pardel Lynx or the Spanish Lynx, the Iberian Lynx is endangered with a population of only about 1,000 cats.
Habitat
Iberian Lynx are found in two small areas of southwest Spain on the Iberian peninsula, west of the Pyrenees mountains.
They prefer areas of native Mediterranean woodland with oaks and abundant undergrowth and thickets. They favour a mix of dense scrubland for shelter and open pasture for hunting.
Iberian Lynx are not normally found on cropland and in exotic tree plantations where rabbits are scarce.
Description
Standing about 60cm tall and weighing between 7 and 10kg, they have a yellowish to reddish brown coloured fur, patterned with many dark brown or black spots and a lighter coloured belly.
Like all other Lynx, Iberian Lynx have a small head, a flared facial ruff, long legs, dark ear tufts and short, dark-tipped tails.
Diet
Rabbits are the favourite food of the Iberian Lynx, they will often make their homes where there is an abundance of them. If there is a shortage of rabbits, they will also eat ducks, young deer and partridges.
Adult Lynx tend to eat one rabbit a day, but mothers raising cubs need about three rabbits a day.
Threats
The Iberian Lynx has many threats. These include habitat destruction due to agricultural and industrial development and the conversion of native Mediterranean forest to plantations with no/little undergrowth. They are also at threat from being caught illegally or hunted with dogs and directly persecuted, being hit by cars and trucks on the road surrounding and crossing their habitat, and being killed by traps set for other predators.
They are also at threat from low rabbit numbers due to a disease that wipes out rabbit populations.
How to help?
In 2002, a recovery programme was set up to captive breed Iberian Lynx, particularly cubs, and then release them into the wild, often with tracking collars so we can gain more information about these endangered cats. They also help to restore habitats and increase rabbit populations by breeding rabbits, vaccinating them and releasing them.
If you live in Spain, you could volunteer at a conservation group, or help them with fundraisers.
If you do not live in Spain, the best way to help is to simply spread the word.
References
ICUN Red List - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12520/174111773
Wild Cat Conservation - https://wildcatconservation.org/wild-cats/eurasia/iberian-lynx/
WWF - https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/wildlife_practice/profiles/mammals/iberian_lynx/
- https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/bringing-back-the-iberian-lynx
PBS - https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/lynx-fact-sheet/
San Diego Zoo - https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/lynx-and-bobcat
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLTj8QfXoWE&list=LL&index=1
Iberian Lynx are found in two small areas of southwest Spain on the Iberian peninsula, west of the Pyrenees mountains.
They prefer areas of native Mediterranean woodland with oaks and abundant undergrowth and thickets. They favour a mix of dense scrubland for shelter and open pasture for hunting.
Iberian Lynx are not normally found on cropland and in exotic tree plantations where rabbits are scarce.
Description
Standing about 60cm tall and weighing between 7 and 10kg, they have a yellowish to reddish brown coloured fur, patterned with many dark brown or black spots and a lighter coloured belly.
Like all other Lynx, Iberian Lynx have a small head, a flared facial ruff, long legs, dark ear tufts and short, dark-tipped tails.
Diet
Rabbits are the favourite food of the Iberian Lynx, they will often make their homes where there is an abundance of them. If there is a shortage of rabbits, they will also eat ducks, young deer and partridges.
Adult Lynx tend to eat one rabbit a day, but mothers raising cubs need about three rabbits a day.
Threats
The Iberian Lynx has many threats. These include habitat destruction due to agricultural and industrial development and the conversion of native Mediterranean forest to plantations with no/little undergrowth. They are also at threat from being caught illegally or hunted with dogs and directly persecuted, being hit by cars and trucks on the road surrounding and crossing their habitat, and being killed by traps set for other predators.
They are also at threat from low rabbit numbers due to a disease that wipes out rabbit populations.
How to help?
In 2002, a recovery programme was set up to captive breed Iberian Lynx, particularly cubs, and then release them into the wild, often with tracking collars so we can gain more information about these endangered cats. They also help to restore habitats and increase rabbit populations by breeding rabbits, vaccinating them and releasing them.
If you live in Spain, you could volunteer at a conservation group, or help them with fundraisers.
If you do not live in Spain, the best way to help is to simply spread the word.
References
ICUN Red List - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/12520/174111773
Wild Cat Conservation - https://wildcatconservation.org/wild-cats/eurasia/iberian-lynx/
WWF - https://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/wildlife_practice/profiles/mammals/iberian_lynx/
- https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/bringing-back-the-iberian-lynx
PBS - https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/blog/lynx-fact-sheet/
San Diego Zoo - https://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/lynx-and-bobcat
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLTj8QfXoWE&list=LL&index=1