Recently,  IUCN has changed Iberian lynx’s status to ‘vulnerable’ from ‘endangered’ due to significant improvement in its conservation status.

Population of Lynx

• 2001 Status: In 2001, the lynx population had dwindled to just 62 mature individuals.
  • By 2022, the number of mature lynx increased to 648.
• Current status: Including young lynx, the total population is now estimated to be over 2,000.

About Iberian lynx’s

• Scientific name: Lynx pardinus
  • It belongs to cat species and  is sexually dimorphic. 
    • Males are heavier and longer than females. 
• Distribution:  Spain and Portugal
• Known for: long legs, pointy ears, and leopard-like spotted fur.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

Key strategies to increase conservation of Iberian lynx’s

• Enhancing prey: Increase the population of its primary prey, the Endangered European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
• Protection and Restoration of habitat:  Protecting and restoring its Mediterranean scrub and forest habitat.
• • Habitat Expansion: The lynx’s habitat has expanded significantly, now covering at least 3,320 km², up from just 449 km² in 2005.
  • Reintroduction: Since 2010, over 400 Iberian lynx have been reintroduced into various areas of Portugal and Spain.
• Minimizing human-caused fatalities.
• Genetic Diversity and Breeding Programs
  • Genetic diversity: The diversity of the Iberian Lynx has been improved through translocations.
  • An ex-situ breeding program: This program  has also been crucial in increasing the population. These both measures played a crucial role in increasing the population of Iberian lynx’s. 

Threats to Iberian lynx’s

Despite the success, several threats remain:

• Virus outbreak: The European rabbit population, crucial for the lynx’s diet, is vulnerable to virus outbreaks.
• Disease due to climate change: The lynx faces diseases from domestic cats, poaching, road accidents, and habitat changes due to climate change
• Other risks: Poaching, illegal hunting, and road accidents still threaten the species’ survival.

Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store