Hey December 12 is International Iberian Lynx Day 2024a date set with the aim of alerting the whole world to the serious decline experienced by this endemic species of the Iberian Peninsula and which today, thanks to various protection and conservation programs, is recovering.
Saving the Iberian lynx
On the International Day of the Iberian Lynx, the Andalusian Government highlights the extraordinary results achieved in the conservation of this emblematic feline, considered a symbol of the biodiversity of the Iberian Peninsula. Thanks to the continued efforts and joint work of governments, researchers and associations, the Iberian lynx (Lynx panther) has undergone an unprecedented recovery over the past five years.
The Iberian lynx population in Andalusia has reached record numbers and is consolidating itself as the autonomous community with the largest number of specimens in the wild in Spain. According to the last census in 2023, the Andalusian territory is home to 759 specimens, a remarkable increase compared to the 457 specimens recorded in 2019. This continued growth, which represents an increase of 20% per year for the second consecutive year, reflects the success of the taken measures protect and guarantee the survival of this species.
Loose Andalusian lynxes are mainly distributed in the Doñana-Aljarafe areascentral and eastern Sierra Morena, and the Sierras Subbéticas. Among the 759 individuals counted are 156 reproductive females and 228 puppies, a clear indicator of the stability and vitality of the populations.
In addition, since the beginning of conservation programs, Andalusia has become the epicenter of the recovery of the Iberian lynx, which has significantly contributed to the overall increase in the population of this species on the peninsula, which today numbers more than 2,000 individuals, distributed across Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Murcia region and Portugal.
The most important milestone in the recovery of the Iberian lynx has been made possible thanks to the Transnational collaborative project Life Lynxconnectled by the Junta de Andalucía in collaboration with national and international entities. Over four consecutive initiatives, major measures for the reintroduction, reproduction and conservation of the lynx have been implemented, overcoming one of the biggest challenges in the history of species conservation in Europe.
In 2002, the Iberian lynx was in a critical situation, with only 94 individuals left in the wild, and was considered the most endangered feline in the world according to statistics. Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Today, twenty years later, the cat has been recategorized as ‘vulnerable’, an advance unprecedented among big cats.
Andalusia and biodiversity
The Andalusian government has done that committed to sustainability as a central pillar of its environmental policy. Specific actions for the Iberian lynx include:
- Creating and maintaining ecological corridors that connect the different distribution areas of the species.
- Cooperation with farmers and ranchers to ensure a favorable living environment and coexistence with human activities.
- Strengthening captive breeding and reintroduction programs in historic ranges.
- Constant monitoring of populations through advanced genetic tracking and analysis tools.
This comprehensive approach has saved the Iberian lynx from extinction and promoted socio-economic development in rural areas linked to its conservation.
The Iberian lynx represents one of the greatest success stories in species recovery and Andalusia’s commitment to preserving its natural heritage. In the words of the Minister of Sustainability and the Environment, Catalina García: “the The Iberian lynx is an emblem of what we can achieve if we join forces in favor of biodiversity.”
“On this International Day, the Junta de Andalucía reaffirms its commitment to continue working to ensure a prosperous future for this species and for all the ecosystems around it. Because Protecting the lynx is protecting our natural resourcesour identity and the legacy we will leave to future generations,” he added.
There is still much to achieve until the Iberian lynx is out of danger and its categorization is no longer classified as endangered by the IUCN. But things are definitely going in the right direction and it is hoped that this will happen in a short time commemoration of the International Day of the Iberian Lynx is no longer necessary.