The Iberian lynx, one of the world’s most endangered feline species, is facing a significant threat from human activity. According to recent reports, 25% of Iberian lynx deaths are caused by road accidents. Therefore, conservationists call for urgent action.
The situation has become particularly alarming in Andalucia. Within just three days at the end of August three young lynxes were found dead on the roads. These were areas such as Villamanrique de la Condesa in Seville and the municipalities of Arquillos and Mengíbar in Jaén.
Road collisions: The leading death cause
Road collisions are responsible for approximately 75% of all lynx fatalities across the Iberian Peninsula. In 2023 alone, 189 lynxes were killed in road accidents in Spain and Portugal, with 87 of these deaths occurring in Andalucia. This year, the Doñana National Park has already lost nearly 10% of its lynx population due to road accidents. That´s a figure close to last year’s total of 13 deaths from the same cause.
Danger zones and the need for preventative measures
Environmentalists argue that the current preventative measures are inadequate and often not respected by drivers. Juan Romero, a spokesperson for Ecologistas en Acción, identifies several “black spots” on roads where lynx collisions are more frequent. These accidents happen, despite the presence of speed limits and warning signs. The areas whith the most accidents are typically rich in rabbits, the lynx’s primary prey, making them hotspots for lynx activity.
Some corrective measures, such as underground passages and elevated road sections, have been implemented in these high-risk areas. Nevertheless, Romero stresses the need to extend these protections to other roads where accidents also occur. He points out that young lynxes, often less than three years old, are particularly vulnerable as they leave protected areas and venture into agricultural zones, crossing multiple roads in search of new territory.
Consequences and legal obligations
Drivers who hit a lynx face varying consequences depending on the circumstances. While some motorists report the incident, others leave the scene. Therefore, it is often environmental agents or Seprona officers who discover the injured or dead animals. Fines for negligent driving that results in the death of a lynx can reach up to €60,000, though accidental collisions are not subject to penalties.
A recent incident highlighted by Ecologistas en Acción involved a lynx hit by a car on a road near Dehesa de Abajo in Seville in February 2023. The driver fled the scene, but other motorists alerted authorities, allowing the lynx to receive treatment and eventually be released back into the wild.
Conservationists urge immediate action
Despite recent efforts to boost the Iberian lynx population—now exceeding 1,000 individuals—conservationists warn that complacency could reverse these gains. They argue that the reclassification of the lynx from “endangered” to “vulnerable” was premature. Therefore, continued inaction could lead to a sharp decline in their numbers.
Romero calls for the creation of ecological corridors, such as livestock routes and streams, to provide safe passage for wildlife. Proper protection measures on all roads and strict enforcement of speed limits near protected areas are crucial to preventing further losses of this iconic species.