New LIFE for the Iberian Lynx: 20 years of conservation success

It’s being hailed as ‘the greatest recovery of a cat species ever achieved through conservation.’ With 12 months still to run, the five year, €18.7 million LIFE LynxConnect project - which aimed to increase the population, genetic diversity and geographical spread of the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) - has already surpassed expectations. 

Earlier this summer, the Iberian Lynx was officially reclassified from Endangered to Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Although still at risk, populations of Lynx pardinus now stand a fighting chance of full recovery. 

‘This success is the result of committed collaboration between public bodies, scientific institutions, NGOs, private companies, and community members including local landowners, farmers, gamekeepers and hunters, and the financial and logistical support of the European Union LIFE project,’ says Francisco Javier Salcedo Ortiz, LIFE LynxConnect project coordinator. ‘But there is still a lot of work to do to ensure that Iberian lynx populations survive and the species recovers throughout its indigenous range. Looking ahead, there are plans to reintroduce the Iberian lynx to new sites in central and northern Spain.’ 

Just over two decades ago, the Iberian Lynx was down to fewer than 50 mature animals in two tiny locations in the Andalusia region of Spain. Years of declining wild rabbit populations, habitat destruction, inbreeding and deaths from ‘non-natural’ causes - including hunting and roadkills - had left the species teetering on the brink of extinction.  

Now, thanks to the work of multiple LIFE projects over 20 years, Iberian Lynx are expanding into other regions such as Extremadura, Castilla La Mancha and Murcia in Spain, and Alentejo in Portugal. In addition to LIFE LynxConnect, there are three other current LIFE projects focused on the species: LIFE22-NAT-PT-LUPI LYNX, LIFE ScrubsNet and LIFE Iberconejo. Previous LIFE projects which have contributed to the Iberian Lynx’ remarkable comeback include LIFE EUROLARGECARNIVORES (2017-22), Iberlince (2011-17) and Habitat Lince Abutre (2010-14). 

In 2015, the IUCN Red List down-listed the Iberian lynx from Critically Endangered to Endangered, and in June this year from Endangered to Vulnerable. ‘We have gone from fewer than a hundred Iberian Lynx in around 125 square kilometres to more than 2000 across five thousand square kilometres today,’  says Salcedo. ‘We have signed more than two hundred agreements with landowners and hunting societies covering more than 150 000 hectares. We can be proud that we are part of one of the most successful conservation projects in the world.’ 

As well as helping achieve the European Habitats and Birds Directives, all LIFE lynx projects support the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the Natura 2000 protected areas network, the proposed EU Nature Restoration Law, the European Green Deal, and the EU Climate Change Adaption Strategy