Iberian Lynx make a Remarkable Recovery in Portugal

In 2001, WWF declared the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) “the most endangered cat species and the only endemic large carnivore in Europe.”

At the time, the situation for the Iberian lynx was dire: They were found in just a handful of isolated pockets of Spain and Portugal, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimated the population had dwindled to just 62 mature individuals.

Populations had declined from 15 subpopulations in the 1940s to only two subpopulations in the early 1990s. The species had experienced an 80% range loss between 1960 and 1990. By 1980, the Portuguese lynx population was estimated at no more than 50 individuals.

Today, the Iberian lynx population, including young and mature cats, is estimated to be more than 2,000. As a result, in June 2024, the IUCN removed the Iberian lynx from the Endangered list, upgrading its status to Vulnerable.

This article explores the journey of the Iberian lynx from near extinction to a conservation success story, highlighting key actions, challenges and prospects. WWF plays a critical role in those efforts.

About the Iberian Lynx

In the early 19th century, thousands of Iberian lynx inhabited Spain, Portugal and Southern France. Fossils suggest the species has been present in Iberia since the end of the Early Pleistocene, around one million years ago, and that its range has extended far into France and Italy.

An adult Iberian lynx is heavily spotted, weighs 22–29 pounds, and has long legs and a very short tail with a black tip.

Female lynxes generally give birth in March and April. The average litter size is 3, but it is rare for 3 Iberian lynx cubs to survive weaning—mortality rates are high. Kits become independent at 7 to 10 months old but remain with the mother until around 20 months old. The survival of the young depends heavily on the availability of prey species.

The Iberian lynx depends heavily on wild rabbits to feed, but it will also eat ducks, young deer and partridges if rabbit densities are low. An adult lynx needs about one rabbit per day; a mother raising lynx kits might need three.

Iberian lynx prefer open grassland mixed with dense shrubs such as strawberry tree, mastic, and juniper, and trees such as holm oak and cork oak and mark their territory with urine, scratch marks on the barks of trees, and scat.

Adult home ranges remain stable over many years. Camera trap surveys in the eastern Sierra Morena Mountains between 1999 and 2008 revealed that six females had home ranges of 2-2.5 square miles, and four males had home ranges of 4.6-4.7 square miles.

Iberian Lynx Conservation Challenges

The number of Iberian lynxes declined steadily during the 20th century, and at the beginning of the 2000s, only two isolated breeding populations remained, both located in southern Spain. These populations totaled about 100 adult animals, with only 25 breeding females.

This dramatic decrease was primarily due to habitat destruction, reduction in prey (particularly the European rabbit), and human-induced threats such as poaching, road accidents, and habitat fragmentation and alteration.

The Iberian lynx is not very adaptable because it relies on rabbits for 75% of its food intake. European rabbit numbers have suffered repeated population crashes due to myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease.

 

Conservation Success through Collaborative Efforts

Thanks to reintroduction and captive breeding projects, the Iberian lynx population has significantly increased. Nature-based Solutions (NbS) have been pivotal for the lynx’s recovery. These strategies include the establishment of wildlife corridors and the preservation of the species’ natural habitat, which not only benefit the lynx but also support other species and enhance local ecosystems.

One of the cornerstones of this success has been the active restoration of Mediterranean scrub and forest habitats. The European rabbit has also received full protection, which is crucial for the survival of the Iberian lynx.

To further bolster Iberian lynx resilience against threats like disease and poaching, conservationists implemented translocations and an ex-situ breeding program to enhance genetic diversity. This comprehensive approach has made the Iberian lynx more robust and better able to withstand environmental pressures.

These successes were achieved through the dedicated collaboration of government bodies, scientific institutions, NGOs, private companies and local communities. These groups have formed a multifaceted conservation strategy supported by the European Union LIFE project. WWF has played a pivotal role in various initiatives, demonstrating the power of collective effort.

Key conservation actions have included:

• Prey Management: By 2022, efforts to boost the population of the European rabbit had significantly increased numerous populations, ensuring a stable food supply for the lynx, crucial for their continued recovery​.
• Habitat Restoration: Restoration and protection of Mediterranean scrub and forest habitats increased lynx habitat from 19 square miles in 2005 to at least 1,282 square miles in 2024. (The numbers seem improbable but are accurate according to the IUCN.)

This expansion was achieved through significant reforestation efforts, land management and the creation of wildlife corridors​​. According to WWF, these restored habitats have not only supported the lynx but also benefited other species like the imperial eagle and various amphibians​.

• Genetic Diversity: Genetic diversity was enhanced through translocations and an ex-situ breeding program. More than 400 lynx have been reintroduced to parts of Portugal and Spain since 2010​. As of 2023, these efforts have led to the establishment of several new breeding populations across the Iberian Peninsula, demonstrating the success of the genetic management strategies.
• Reducing Human-Induced Deaths: Measures to minimize deaths caused by road accidents and poaching included the creation of wildlife corridors and safe road crossings. Additionally, educational campaigns have raised awareness among local communities about the importance of lynx conservation, resulting in decreased poaching incidents and better coexistence​.

WWF has been heavily involved in habitat protection, prey management and public awareness campaigns. WWF-Spain has secured custody agreements with 18 estates covering more than 62,000 acres, to protect lynx habitats and boost rabbit populations. Additionally, WWF’s captive breeding program has released 45 lynxes into their natural habitats by mid-2015, significantly aiding the species’ recovery​.

WWF’s Iberian Lynx Projects

WWF’s commitment to the Iberian lynx has spanned several decades, focusing on critical conservation areas:

1. LIFE Iberlince Project: This project aims to recover the historic distribution areas of the Iberian lynx in Spain and Portugal. By restoring habitats and creating wildlife corridors, the project has successfully reintroduced lynxes into areas where they had previously disappeared. Local communities are actively involved in conservation efforts, ensuring sustainable land use practices that benefit both the lynx and local economies​. This project has been credited with doubling the lynx population in some areas within a decade, highlighting its effectiveness​.
2. Custody Agreements: WWF-Spain has played a crucial role in establishing custody agreements with private landowners in key regions such as Sierra Morena, Montes de Toledo and Doñana. These agreements have led to the restoration of lynx habitats and the management of rabbit populations, creating a safer and more sustainable environment for the lynx to thrive​. As a result, lynx sightings in these areas have increased by 30% over the past five years​.
3. Captive Breeding and Reintroduction: WWF’s successful captive breeding program focuses on breeding healthy lynxes and preparing them for release into the wild. This initiative has led to the reintroduction of over 50 lynxes into their natural habitats, significantly boosting the wild population. The program has achieved a breeding success rate of over 70%, considered high for such an endangered species​.
4. Public Awareness and Education: WWF has prioritized raising awareness about the Iberian lynx’s plight. WWF has fostered a sense of stewardship among local populations through educational campaigns, community engagement, and collaboration with local schools. These efforts are essential in reducing human-wildlife conflicts and promoting conservation-friendly practices​. WWF’s campaigns have reached over 100,000 people in lynx habitats, significantly contributing to local support for conservation measures.

Protecting the Lynx Population in Portugal & Spain

By 2022, the population of mature individuals had risen to 648, with the total population (including young lynx) exceeding 2,000. IUCN Director General Dr. Grethel Aguilar noted, “The improvement in the Red List status of the Iberian lynx shows that successful conservation works for wildlife and communities alike.”​

Despite the remarkable recovery, the Iberian lynx still faces several challenges:

• Fluctuating Prey Populations: The European rabbit population is susceptible to disease outbreaks, which can impact lynx numbers.
• Disease: The lynx is vulnerable to diseases from domestic cats and other animals.
• Human-Induced Threats: Poaching and road kills remain significant threats, particularly in areas where high-traffic roads intersect lynx habitats.
• Climate Change: Habitat alterations related to climate change pose a growing threat to the species.

Juan Carlos del Olmo, CEO of WWF-Spain, emphasized the need for continued efforts: “To ensure a viable and safe population, we must increase today’s wild Lynx population by threefold by 2040. This requires addressing threats such as accidental killings and legally prosecuting deaths caused by shooting, snares or traps.”

Iberian Lynx Conservation: Future Plans

Looking ahead, conservationists have ambitious plans to ensure the long-term survival of the Iberian lynx.

These include:

• Reintroductions: Plans to reintroduce the lynx to new sites in central and northern Spain.
• Habitat and Prey Management: Continued efforts to restore and protect habitats and manage prey populations.
• IUCN Green Status Assessment: The Iberian lynx’s status as “Largely Depleted” reflects the ongoing need for conservation. However, the species could achieve “Fully Recovered” status in 100 years with sustained efforts.

Francisco Javier Salcedo Ortiz, Coordinator of the LIFE Lynx-Connect project, stated, “There is still a lot of work to do to ensure that Iberian lynx populations survive and the species recovers throughout its indigenous range.”

Dr. Barney Long, from Re: Wild and Co-Chair of the IUCN Green Status Working Group, added, “The significant recovery of the Iberian lynx demonstrates that even the most threatened species can be brought back from the brink of extinction through committed, science-based conservation action.”​

 

Join Nat Hab on the Iberian Peninsula

Nat Hab hosts a European adventure kayaking Portugal’s Upper Duoro River Valley. On the August through October itinerary, guests paddle through the Douro International Natural Park, with Portugal on one bank and Spain on the other.

The 335 square mile protected area was created in May 1998 to protect the inspiring scenery and wildlife, including eagles, red kites, griffon vultures, herons, wild boar and one of the last packs of wolves in the Tras-os-Montes region, which lives a few miles inland from the river. Natural vegetation covers the banks along this stretch of the river, with woodlands of juniper and cork oak beyond.

There are no established Iberian lynx populations in the Douro Valley—yet. Recent conservation efforts have focused on expanding the lynx’s range across the Iberian Peninsula and maintaining plentiful prey populations in the Duoro Valley.

These efforts have led to sightings and the establishment of lynx populations in other parts of Portugal, particularly in the Guadiana Valley. Thanks to targeted reintroduction programs, in the Guadiana Valley, there were 53 breeding females, 100 kits and a total of 291 specimens in 2023.

The Douro International Natural Park’s conservation activities, such as habitat restoration and biodiversity protection, contribute indirectly to the overall health of ecosystems that support numerous species, including the Iberian lynx. The park’s efforts in maintaining healthy habitats and promoting sustainable land use practices are crucial for the broader conservation initiatives that benefit the lynx population in Portugal.

Conservationists hope that lynx could expand into more suitable habitats within Portugal, including areas like the Upper Douro Valley.

Continuing the Iberian Lynx’s Remarkable Rebound

Once teetering on the brink of extinction, the Iberian lynx has made an astonishing comeback, demonstrating the power of dedicated conservation efforts. The story of the Iberian lynx is far from over. According to WWF estimates, Iberian lynx numbers would need to reach 3,000-3,500 individuals, including around 750 reproductive females, to be eligible to be considered as being in a ‘favorable State of Conservation’ according to European regulations.

Continued conservation efforts that address threats to lynx, support the recovery of decimated rabbit populations, help create new lynx populations, and connect existing ones are critical to reaching such a goal by 2040. The Iberian lynx’s remarkable rebound is a powerful testament to the effectiveness of dedicated conservation efforts. From a population of just 62 mature individuals in 2001 to over 2,000 in 2024, the lynx’s recovery is one of the greatest recoveries of a cat species ever achieved through conservation. It underscores the importance of collaborative, science-based conservation actions.