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Lynx Roars Back: Spain's Elusive Cat Saved from Brink
3 Jan
Summary
- Iberian lynx population surged from under 100 in 2002 to over 2,000.
- An €88 million rewilding scheme, largely EU-funded, saved the species.
- Despite success, future conservation hinges on regional government will.
The Iberian lynx, once facing extinction due to habitat loss and disease decimating its rabbit prey, has seen a dramatic recovery. In 2002, fewer than 100 individuals remained, but an ambitious €88 million rewilding program, heavily supported by the EU, has reversed this trend. By 2023, the population had grown to 2,021, shifting the species' status from the brink of disappearance to vulnerable.
Conservation efforts involved captive breeding and release into areas with ample rabbit populations. Communities were engaged to support the initiative. This has led to the lynx inhabiting exclusive rural estates, where they are valued for controlling rival predators. Despite widespread success, some regions like Catalonia and Aragon express resistance, viewing the lynx as a pest.
The future of the Iberian lynx now depends on ongoing financial commitment from regional governments in Spain and Portugal, as the Life LynxConnect project concludes in 2026. Road safety remains a significant concern, with numerous lynx deaths reported, necessitating continued investment in infrastructure like underpasses to ensure their long-term survival.
