Lorraine Williamson
The Iberian lynx, once on the brink of extinction, is making a remarkable comeback. The Iberian Lynx Breeding Centre in El Acebuche, located within Doñana National Park, has recorded a significant rise in births, signaling a thriving population. This resurgence is not limited to Doñana; new populations are emerging in other regions of Spain.
In the 1990s, the Iberian lynx was classified as the most endangered feline species in the world. Today, conservation efforts are paying off, with nine cubs born in just 24 hours, bringing the total to 12 cubs in one week at Doñana’s breeding centre.
Breeding strategies for genetic diversity
To strengthen the species’ genetic diversity, conservationists have carefully paired seven genetically suitable lynx couples for the current breeding season. These pairs were introduced at the end of 2024, undergoing a socialisation phase in December to improve breeding success. Madroña, one of the most prolific females, has now given birth to 17 cubs over seven breeding seasons. Additional births have also been reported at Zarza de Granadilla, another lynx breeding centre.
New lynx populations in Spain
The Iberian lynx has now been reintroduced to Cuenca, Palencia, Murcia, and Granada, expanding its habitat across Spain. This initiative is a crucial step toward reaching the conservation goal of 750 breeding females and a total wild population of 3,000 to 3,500 lynxes—a milestone that would remove the species from the endangered list entirely.
For the first time, lynxes have been released in Cuenca and Palencia, areas where they historically never existed. These northern regions provide climate-resilient habitats, offering a sustainable future for the lynx amid rising temperatures in southern Spain.
A conservation success story
The success of the Iberian Lynx Recovery Program has gained international recognition. In June 2024, the species was officially reclassified from “endangered” to “vulnerable” by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO). The latest census recorded 2,021 wild lynxes, a major milestone achieved through a combination of reintroduction programs and natural expansion.
Future challenges for the Iberian lynx
Despite these achievements, challenges remain. The Iberian lynx continues to face threats from road accidents, illegal hunting, and the decline of its primary food source, wild rabbits. However, the expansion of lynx populations and the introduction of protected habitat areas offer renewed hope for the species’ long-term survival.
With continued conservation efforts, Spain is witnessing one of the most successful wildlife recovery campaigns in Europe, proving that strategic action and habitat protection can reverse the fate of even the most endangered species.