Is Yes, they are good news about one of the most emblematic species of the peninsula: the Iberian Lynx. This great cat was only a few years ago on the same edge of the extinction, but the decline has stopped and is recovering.
Thanks Several projects have been achieved that the population of Iberian Lince will gradually recover. In fact, it was achieved that, although it continues in the IUCN -Red list as an endangered species, at least you are no longer qualified as in danger of extinction.
And while these nature conservation works are bearing fruit, there is still a lot to do since then for the line Iberian the most important Human enemy continues to die too many exemplary colors and reduces the conversion of soils and road infrastructure.
Iberian Lynx recovery
They are being considered Hopeful the data of the new Iberian Lince population that Miteco published today, with a total of 2401 copies of this species censored in 2024who represents a population growth of 18.8 % about last year’s data. After the success of last year, when the kind of “in danger” went to “vulnerable” in the Red List of IUCN species, the growth of the species remains stable in recent years.
It is a worldwide conservation success that shows that the joint work that has been done by everyone The actors involved in the Iberian Lynx for the objectives to consider the species out of dangerWith 3500 copies and 750 reproductive women.
The census, drawn up by the Miteco of the data provided by the various Spanish autonomous communities with the presence of the species and by cooperating organizations, reveals that that In 2024, 2401 copies were censored under Spainwith 2047 in total persons (85.3 %), and Portugalwith 354 (14.7 %), what a 18.8 % of the total population in the past year.
They were all included in 17 cores with established women -Thein the 22 cores of stable presence that exist on the Iberian peninsula, of which, of which, of which, 16 can be found in Spain (Five in Andalusia, six in Castilla-La Mancha and five in Extremadura), plus a core in Portugal.
With regard to the number Reproductive women, has increased by 15.76 % last year, with a total of 470 women territorial, which represents more than 60 % (62.67 %) of the total objective of achieving 750 women of line Iberian.
Ramón Pérez de Ayala, an expert in the Iberian Lince of the ecologist NGO, emphasizes that “after the last year of the change of” endangered “in” vulnerable “this data are hopeful. The cooperation that we have carried out, together with other organizations, together with the strategy of the strategy of the strategie, together with the strategie, together with the strategie, together with the strategie, together with the strategie, together with the strategie, together with the strategy of the strategy of the strategy of the strategy of the strategy of the strategy of the strategy of the strategy of the strategy of the strategy of the strategie strategy, together with the strategy Introduction of the Iberian Lince in new areas, because the species to the objectives that are granted in danger.
However, We are especially concerned about the descent of the rabbit population of Monte, the HoofddamWho has fallen by 70 % in its natural habitats in the last 10 years. Moreover, it is necessary to continue eliminating threats such as poaching, illegal yacht and abuse, which continue to endanger the survival of the species ».
Expansion of the areas for the lynx that guarantees its existence
The study of the species over time makes it possible to detect new challenges and opportunities for their preservation, such as Introduction of new population in areas that are suitable for Iberian lynxes, with sufficient space and food that guarantee growth of the number of women to consider the species in danger.
The challenge of achieving the introduction to eight new populations in Spain therefore continues: In 2024 there were already three new populations -Tierras Altas de Lorca (Murcia), Sierra Arana (Granada) and Campos de Hellín (between Murcia and Albacete)- And in 2025 two new ones were made In La Veguilla and Sierra Jarameña (Cuenca) and El Cerrato Palentino (Palencia).
Under the new areas it stands out Success in the introduction of Iberian Lince -copies in Castilla La Manchawho had no copy until 2014 and reached 842 Linces In 2024, with 2.3 puppies per territorial woman, 0.5 % more than the peninsula average. This Success was promoted by the actors involved in the Life Iberlince project, with the reintroduction of Iberian Lince In Montes de Toledo and Sierra Morena Oriental, where there are optimum conditions for the species, because they have a great availability of food, mainly the mountain rabbit.
So the population of Montes de Toledo “Progress” to Andújar’s in number of copies and women” Of an area where there was no lynxTo assume that almost 20 % of the Iberian population. Castilla La Mancha is positioned worldwide as the community with the largest presence of the species, with 40 % of the total population on its territory.
Years of working for the recovery of the species
He line Iberian is an emblematic species of the peninsula, which is why the NGO has contributed to its recovery with various actions and work on the ground in the last 25 years Detention agreements with hunting farms where the last survived Linces In Sierra Morena, Montes de Toledo and Doñana.
Currently, the Environment -NGO guardianship agreements maintain 18 farms (in more than 25,000 hectares that house about 12 women’s areas with puppies), which develops parallel works by Habitat improvement and repair of populations of mountain rabbits and participates in the scientific monitoring of the species.
In addition, since 2020, to stimulate the recovery of the species and to improve the relationship between populations, work on the project ‘Life LynxConnect: creating a functional and demographic functional Iberian Lynx metapoblation’. The project, which will end at the end of this year, will be coordinated by the Junta de Andalucía, and in which 21 members participate.
On the other hand, the environmental organization also works on the Awareness of the locals who live with the species and with different campaigns through their social networks to publish the Iberian Lince And its relevance in the biodiversity of the peninsula. Moreover, under the motto «I protect the lynx«is involved in society in the preservation of line Iberian via a campaign of Collection of signatures that currently have the support of more than 156,000 people who have shown their commitment With the species and keep supporting the work of the environmental NGO.
In terms of Environmental crimes against the species” The NGO also works in the courts, which is currently Personada as a private accusation in Three cases of Lynx shot in Toledo, Murcia and Ciudad Real.