For more information: Anne Remy WWF Mediterranean Programme Office The Iberian – The + 39 06 844 97 424/417/224 [email protected] world’s most endangered big cat

The , the world's most In ’s Doñana and Sierra de Andújar (Eastern endangered big cat, is on the brink of ) the estimated population is around extinction, say experts. The total 150 individuals. Isolated individuals are surviving in East Montes de Toledo, Western Sistema confirmed population is estimated to be Central and Western Sierra Morena. In , less than 200 today. It is feared the new evidence not only reinforces the presence of species could disappear as soon as lynx in the country but also points to the animal’s next year, making it the first big cat existence in areas where it was previously extinction since prehistoric times. considered extinct. The loss and fragmentation of In the 1980s: 1100 animals Mediterranean forests is one of the key threats to the Iberian Lynx.

The World’s most endangered feline species

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is classified by the World Union for Nature (IUCN) as the world’s most endangered feline species. In October Source: Delibes M. Rodriguez A. and Ferreras P.(2000) Action Plan for the Conservation of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Council of 2002, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Europe. upgraded the lynx to Critically Endangered following new evidence of alarming decline. Today: less than 200 animals in 2 breeding places Originally, the Iberian Lynx was found West of the all over Spain and Portugal. In the 80s the population size was estimated at 1100 animals.

Today this number has declined to less than 200 animals. The Iberian Lynx is close to becoming the first wild cat species to go extinct.

Source: WWF Spain and WWF Mediterranean Major threats to the Iberian Lynx: “The challenge is to maintain the diversity of habitats that the lynx needs for its survival. We There are four main threats that affect this need to find innovative economically viable ways critically endangered feline: to secure the balance between various 1. The destruction or alteration of its habitat, agroforestry activities without intensifying one the Mediterranean forest and scrub. use or the other", said Pedro Regato, Head of the 2. The isolation and the fragmentation of its Forest Unit at WWF Mediterranean. populations. These are already very small The cork oak forests also host a rich variety of and are becoming increasingly isolated, wildlife, including endangered species such as due to the construction of public works Barbary deer (Cervus elaphus barbarus) in like highways or dams. They are creating Tunisia, Sardinian deer (Cervus elaphus new barriers between populations. corsicanus) in Italy, Iberian imperial eagle 3. The shortage of its basic prey, the rabbit, (Aquila adalberti) and Iberian lynx (Lynx due to habitat loss and to the different pardinus) in Spain and Portugal. epidemics that it has suffered since the fifties (Myxomatosis and Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease, the RHD). Portugal may soon lose its last 4. Human influence through poaching, The construction of the Odelouca Dam in South hunting, traps, car accidents. Portugal is a concrete example where fragmentation of the lynx´s habitat may threaten Habitat and prey loss its survival. Planned to be constructed inside a Natura 2000 area it is placed amidst mixed-oak The Iberian lynx is dependent on a mosaic of forests which are ideal habitat for the Iberian habitats ranging from grassland to shrubland to Lynx. Construction of the dam would result in the forests. This diversity of habitats has historically continued loss of the characteristic mosaic been maintained by traditional agroforestry landscapes that support the Iberian Lynx. systems based on the management of cork and holm oak forests. In these forests, activities of Substitution of large expanses of habitats of livestock raising, firewood gathering, fruit primarily shrublands and pasturelands with collection and cork extraction that constitute an non-indigenous species like Eucalyptus is agroforestry system have ensured a diverse another pressing threat to this highly mosaic of shrub and pasture land which is best endangered species in South Portugal. suited for the lynx and the wild rabbits it preys on. Now, agricultural subsidies are promoting the development of monocultures and plantations, What needs to be done thus simplifying the landscape. Land use changes, • Improve the use of EU environmental such as rural abandonment and infrastructure subsidies to promote restoration and development, have fragmented habitat for both the enlargement of the landscape mosaic of lynx and for the wild rabbits. The balance different habitat types necessary for the between rural economy and the ecosystem which survival of lynx and its prey. has existed for centuries in the Mediterranean is • Stop the isolation of populations and threatened and with it the lynx. fragmentation of habitats through infrastructure development projects such Local communities who fear a decrease in their as the Odeluca Dam. incomes through cork harvesting try to find • Approve recovery plans by the regional alternative sources of revenue and take advantage governments. of environmentally damaging EU subsidies. • Restore the rabbit population. Already, large tracts of land that were once • Control hunting and illegal poaching. Mediterranean cork and holm oak forests are now • Captive breeding programs. eucalyptus and pine plantations.