Iberian Lynx Removed from Endangered Species List

The International Union for Conservation of Nature announced that thanks to effective conservation efforts, the Iberian lynx, which was at risk of extinction 20 years ago, has stabilized and is no longer facing such a threat. In a report released on Thursday, June 21, the organization stated that the latest census from last year shows that the number of adult and juvenile lynxes in the Iberian Peninsula has exceeded two thousand. The name of this species of wild cat, native to Spain and Portugal, has now been removed from the latest version of the list published by this organization titled 'Red List' of endangered species. These animals, which are medium-sized among felids, are characterized by their sharp black ears, relatively long fur under the neck resembling a mane, and a relatively short tail. According to statistics from the Spanish Wildlife Agency, the number of these animals in Spain and southern Portugal had decreased to 62 adult lynxes by 2001. Major reasons for the decline of this species include the expansion of human activities such as agriculture and urbanization, excessive hunting in recent centuries, and most importantly, the sharp decline in their prey, the European wild rabbit. Since then, effective efforts by wildlife protection agencies in Spain and Portugal have initiated plans to conserve this feline, including breeding in protected environments, controlling excessive hunting, and restoring their ecosystem in forests. The number of these felines reached about 650 in 2022. The person responsible for the Red List at the International Union for Conservation of Nature described the rescue of this species from extinction as a 'great success.' Kirk Hilton Taylor told the Associated Press that one of the important factors in the revival of this feline species has been special attention to their prey, the European wild rabbit, which was also facing extinction due to agricultural expansion. The revival of rabbit populations has played a significant role in increasing the Iberian lynx population. He added that the International Union for Conservation of Nature has also taken effective measures to raise public awareness about the importance of the Iberian lynx in the region's ecosystem, which has reduced hunting and deaths on roads. Meanwhile, farmers and ranchers receive compensation if their livestock are hunted by lynxes. Francisco Ortiz, the coordinator of the Iberian lynx recovery project, funded by the European Union, stated that the rescue of this feline from extinction is the largest cat species recovery project through conservation and is credited to the collaboration between government agencies, scientific institutions, independent and non-governmental organizations, and local residents including farmers, landowners, and even hunters. Since 2010, more than 400 lynxes born and raised in protected environments have been released into their natural habitat, and their living territory, which was about 450 square kilometers in 2005, has now increased to about 3,200 square kilometers. The World Wildlife Fund has also participated in this project. One of the officials of this fund in Spain said, 'Before releasing any lynx into the wild, we must examine all aspects, and regulations in this regard are reviewed every four years.' Despite the announcement of the rescue of this wildlife species from the threat of extinction, the person responsible for the Red List at the International Union for Conservation of Nature states that the removal of the Iberian lynx from this list does not mean that this species is no longer at risk. The most important factor in the continued survival of these animals is the fate of wild rabbits, which are very vulnerable to viral outbreaks and diseases that may be transmitted from domestic animals. Kirk Hilton Taylor added, 'Another concern of ours is the impact of climate change on lynx ecosystems; perhaps the most important issue in this regard is the effects of natural wildfires, which have been increasing in frequency and scope in the Mediterranean region in recent years.'