1. Description category description
Latin name: Lynx Pardinus
Common Name: Lince ibérico (PT) / Iberian Lynx (EN) / Lynx ibérique
Foto:
Red List Category & Criteria: Critically Endangered
CITES status: YES, Appendix I
The Iberian lynx resembles other species of lynx, with a short tail,
tufted ears and a ruff of fur beneath the chin. The Iberian lynx has
distinctive, leopard-like spots with a coat that is often light grey or
various shades of light brownish-yellow. The head and body
Short species description:
length is 85 to 110 centimeters; with the short tail an additional 12
to 30 centimeters. The male is larger than the female, with the
average weight of males 12.9 kilograms and a maximum of 26.8
kilograms.
The Iberian lynx is restricted to the Iberian peninsula, confined to
scattered groups in the southwestern quadrant of the Iberian
peninsula as a result of the fragmentation of their natural habitat
Geographic Range:
by agricultural and industrial development. Only two or three
groups in Spain are considered to have populations which could be
viable in the long term. It is possibly extinct in Portugal.
Range Map: http://mapservices.iucnredlist.org/IUCN/mapper/index.html?ID_N
O=12520
The Iberian Lynx is a naturally vulnerable species because of its
dependence on only one prey species, the rabbit, and its narrow
habitat spectrum. The dramatic decline in rabbit populations,
caused by habitat changes and myxomatosis since the 1950s and
Major Threat(s):
Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease (RHD) since the late 1980s, has
therefore had a direct impact on lynx numbers. Over-hunting of
rabbits and other human activities have further compounded the
problems of prey scarcity. In recent years, prey scarcity has been

2. compounded by high rates of non-natural mortality and habitat
destruction and fragmentation. Habitat destruction, deterioration
and alteration have impacted negatively on the lynx for centuries.
Notable examples since the middle of the 20th century include the
planting of Mediterranean scrublands with pines and eucalyptus
and more recently the over stocking of deer and livestock on
private estates and the opening up of roads and forest tracks in
previously remote areas. The lynx's preferred habitat mosaic has
also suffered at the hands of afforestation and scrub clearance
schemes, road building, dam construction, and the building of
holiday homes. New infrastructure projects continued to fragment
lynx populations and created new barriers in corridor areas
between the remaining populations in the 1960s.
It is fully protected under national law in Spain and Portugal, and
is classed as Critically Endangered on the national Red Lists of
both countries. Public awareness and education programs have
helped change attitudes towards the lynx particularly among
private landowners in lynx areas. Two international seminars have
been held, in 2002 and 2004, to establish a coordinated strategy to
save the Iberian lynx from extinction. A captive breeding
programme has been started in Spain. In Portugal, the National
Action Plan foresees a re-introduction programme. The
construction of facilities for breeding and reintroduction has been
prepared.
Conservation Actions: In the short term, in situ conservation efforts must concentrate on
preserving the last two breeding populations in Coto Doñana and
Andújar-Cardeña. Priority must also be given to maintaining
several large areas (of at least 500 km²) of suitable habitat to
harbour new lynx populations. The central and western regions of
Sierra Morena and the Toledo Mountains, as well as other areas in
Spain and Portugal naturally rich in rabbits, will be vital for this
purpose. All lynx habitat must be strictly protected from further
destructive infrastructure projects. Captive breeding is of critical
importance for lynx recovery. In addition to providing a vital gene
bank for the survival of the species, captive lynxes will be needed
to recolonise the many areas where populations have collapsed.
IUCN base link: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/12520/0
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/12520/0
http://linceiberico.icnb.pt/homepage.aspx
Sources: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iberian_Lynx
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lince-ib%C3%A9rico