Else Beekman
The Iberian lynx, once on the brink of extinction, is making a remarkable comeback in Spain. With new populations established in Palencia, Cuenca, Murcia, and Granada, the species is moving closer to long-term survival.
These new reintroductions contribute to the ambitious goal of reaching 750 breeding females and a total population of 3,000-3,500 individuals. These numbers would officially remove the lynx from the endangered species list.
Reintroductions in unexpected regions
Recent conservation efforts have focused on expanding the lynx’s range beyond its historical habitats. A total of 10 lynxes will be released in La Veguilla and Sierra Jarameña (Cuenca) and Cerrato Palentino (Palencia). These areas, unlike Murcia and Granada—where lynxes were reintroduced in 2023—have no known historical presence of the species. This makes their introduction a bold and strategic step in ensuring the lynx’s survival.
A step forward for conservation
The significance of this expansion is immense. In June 2024, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reclassified the Iberian lynx from “endangered” to “vulnerable.” The latest census by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) recorded 2,021 individuals. According to WWF Spain, the establishment of these new populations marks a decisive milestone in securing the species’ future.
Francisco Javier Salcedo Ortiz, de coördinator van het LIFE Lynx-Connect Project, emphasised the importance of cooperation in the succes of the Iberian lynx: “This success, the most significant recovery of a feline species ever achieved through conservation, is the result of a dedicated collaboration between public agencies, scientific institutions, NGOs, private companies, and community members. This includes local landowners, farmers, rangers, and hunters, with financial and logistical support from the European Union’s LIFE Project.”
Adapting to climate change
Rising global temperatures and environmental stress in southern Spain pose challenges for the lynx’s habitat. By expanding northward, the species may find more stable environments that could serve as climate refuges in the future. Experts believe these new populations will strengthen genetic diversity and increase the lynx’s resilience to environmental changes.
The path to long-term survival
WWF identified the need to establish eight new lynx populations to ensure the species’ long-term viability. These reintroductions align with the strategy outlined in the 2019 conservation summit “The Iberian Lynx: Looking to the Future.” Expanding the lynx’s range will enhance its demographic stability and improve its conservation status. “The lynx was often falling victim not to serious objections but to unrelated political bickering,” said Ramón Pérez de Ayala of WWF. Emphasizing the challenges conservasionists face, not just in terms of ecology but also in navigating political and social debates.
Continued growth and challenges
The Iberian lynx population has shown consistent growth, thanks not only to the aforementioned reintroduction programs but also to natural expansion. The population in Andújar has successfully spread into nearby olive groves, demonstrating the species’ adaptability. Similarly, lynxes in Montes de Toledo continue to expand due to ecological connectivity.
Despite these successes, threats remain. Lynxes still face dangers such as road accidents, illegal hunting, and the drastic decline in wild rabbit populations—their primary food source. Over the past decade, rabbit numbers have dropped by 70%, posing a significant challenge to lynx survival.