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IBERIAN LYNX Lynx pardinus

KEY FACTS

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION Tawny coat heavily spotted Long legs and a very short tail with a black tip. Characteristic "beard" around its face Prominent black ear tufts. Weight: 10-13kg Height: cm

BREEDING Female lynxes generally give birth between March and April. The average litter size is 3, with rarely more than 2 young surviving weaning. Kittens leave the den between 8 and 23 months. Very high rates of mortality during dispersal have been detected.

DIET The Iberian lynx mostly depends on wild rabbits to feed (90 – 100%), Sometimes eat ducks, young deer and partridges if rabbit densities are low

POPULATION & DISTRIBUTION In the early 19th century the Iberian lynx was found in Spain, Portugal and Southern France. It declined steadily during the 20 th century, and at the beginning of the 2000s only two isolated breeding populations remained in the world, located in southern Spain, and totaling about 100 adult animals, with only 25 breeding females.

THE IBERIAN LYNX IS THE WORLD'S MOST ENDANGERED FELINE SPECIES.

CONSERVATION EFFORTS After joint efforts of the Iberian administrations, different NGOs and the European Union (via the Life projects), the species has recovered from the brink of extinction. IUCN’s assessment in 2015 has downgraded the Iberian Lynx to “endangered”

LYNX EX-SITU CONSERVATION PROGRAMMES The 2014 census shows 327 individuals since the summer of 2014 around 50 lynxes have been introduced in the LIFE Iberlince reintroduction areas, including Portugal : 53 cubs have been born just in 2015.

MAIN THREATS Decreasing food base Rabbits form the main prey of the Iberian lynx. Epidemics, such as myxamatosis and the haemorrhagic disease, have affected rabbit populations over the years NGO’s are calling the Iberian authorities to escalate efforts to recover rabbit populations.

MAIN THREATS Car hits The construction of high speed roads and highways, splitting up the Lynx habitat, is another of the main threats for this wild cat was a black year: 22 animals died under the wheels of a car.

MAIN THREATS Habitat loss and degradation Infrastructures like roads, dams, railways and other human activities contribute to the loss and fragmentation of the Iberian lynx distribution area, creating barriers between the different populations. Illegal Hunting - Ironically, in the past the species was regarded both as an attractive hunting trophy and as a vermin

WHAT ARE NGO’S DOING? Support for the captive breeding programme Sponsorship of the Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE), leading to the development of an action plan for the Iberian lynx Lobbying for all lynx habitat to be covered by the EU's Natura 2000 Programme.

HOW CAN YOU HELP? Put a cork in it! Help protect the Iberian lynx's habitat by planting a cork tree. Spread the word!

WEBGRAPHY mmals/iberian_lynx/ iberico-em-silves/

THANK YOU AND… SAVE THE IBERIAN LYNX!