One of the world’s rarest cats, the Iberian lynx, has been reclassified from “endangered” to “vulnerable,” according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
On Thursday, the IUCN announced the update in its “red list” of threatened species, highlighting a remarkable recovery for the Iberian lynx. The population of mature lynxes increased from 62 in 2001 to 648 in 2022, with an estimated total population of over 2,000 when including young and mature individuals.
Native to the Iberian Peninsula, encompassing Spain and Portugal, the lynx’s population is now stable and reproducing in 14 clusters—13 in Spain and one in Portugal. This marks a significant comeback from the 1960s when the species faced near-extinction due to habitat loss, poaching, and road accidents.
The resurgence is attributed to targeted conservation efforts, particularly focusing on boosting the population of the lynx’s primary food source, the endangered European rabbit. Additionally, initiatives to release captive lynxes and restore their natural habitats have been crucial.
Francisco Javier Salcedo Ortiz, the coordinator leading these conservation actions, described this as the “greatest recovery of a cat species ever achieved through conservation.” Despite the progress, Ortiz emphasized that ongoing efforts are necessary to secure the species’ future, including plans to reintroduce the lynx to new areas in central and northern Spain.
The area inhabited by the Iberian lynx has expanded significantly, from 449 sq km (173 sq miles) in 2005 to 3,320 sq km today. However, the IUCN cautions that the gains remain fragile, with threats such as diseases from domestic cats and wild rabbits, poaching, and road accidents still posing risks.
Established in 1964, the IUCN’s red list has become the most comprehensive global source on the conservation status of animal, fungi, and plant species, underscoring the importance of ongoing vigilance and conservation efforts.
