Recently, a photographer in Spain spotted the world’s first-ever white Iberian lynx.

About Iberian Lynx
The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is an endangered wild cat species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe. Once on the verge of extinction, its population has made a remarkable recovery due to intensive conservation efforts. 
Physical Characteristics

• Appearance: The Iberian lynx has a distinctive appearance with a short, tawny or yellowish-brown coat covered in dark spots that are unique to each individual, much like a human fingerprint. It has long legs, a very short tail with a black tip, prominent black ear tufts, and a "beard-like" facial ruff.
• Size: It is a medium-sized cat, about half the size of the Eurasian lynx. Males are larger than females, typically weighing between 10 to 16 kg (22 to 35 lbs).
• Activity: They are generally solitary and mostly nocturnal, with activity patterns closely linked to their prey's movements. 

Habitat and Diet

• Habitat: The lynx lives in Mediterranean forests and scrubland, favoring a mosaic of dense cover for shelter and open grassland patches for hunting, often at altitudes below 1,300 meters.
• Diet: The Iberian lynx is a highly specialized predator, with the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) making up over 80% of its diet. An adult lynx needs about one rabbit a day, while a female raising kittens requires three. This dependence on a single prey species makes it vulnerable to fluctuations in rabbit populations due to disease. 

Conservation Status and Efforts

• Status: Thanks to successful conservation programs, the Iberian lynx's status was upgraded by the IUCN from Endangered to Vulnerable in 2024.
• Population Recovery: In 2002, the population had dropped to fewer than 100 individuals, making it the world's most endangered feline. As of 2024, the population has increased to over 2,000 individuals across Spain and Portugal.
• Threats: Key threats still include habitat loss and fragmentation, road accidents (a leading cause of death), illegal hunting, and the susceptibility of rabbit populations to disease.
• Conservation Initiatives: Ongoing efforts, including captive breeding and reintroduction programs, habitat restoration, management of rabbit populations, and the establishment of wildlife corridors, have been crucial to its recovery. These collaborative initiatives involve governments, NGOs, local communities, and the European Union. 

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