Iberian Lynx

Context (DTE): The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgraded the status of the Iberian Lynx from ‘Endangered‘ to ‘Vulnerable‘.
Lynx are medium-sized wildcats found in dense forests across the United States, Europe, and Asia.
They belong to the family Felidae, which includes Bengal tigers, Asiatic lions and Indian leopards.
There are four sub-species of lynx:
1. Eurasian lynx (L. lynx)
2. Iberian lynx (L. pardinus)
3. Canada lynx (L. canadensis)
4. Bobcat (L. rufus)

About Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)

The Iberian lynx is the world’s most endangered feline species.
Distribution: It is native to the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, including Portugal and Spain.

Habitat: It lives in Mediterranean forests composed of native oaks and abundant undergrowth and thickets. It favours a mixture of dense scrub for shelter and open pasture for hunting.
Physical description: It is heavily spotted and has long legs and a short tail with a black tip. Its coat is tawny with dark spots, and it bears a characteristic “beard” around its face and prominent black ear tufts.
Diet: It feeds on the European rabbit (makes up over 80% of its diet), other small mammals, such as rodents, hares, and birds, as well as larger prey such as deer.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Vulnerable | CITES: Appendix I
Threats: Illegal hunting, habitat loss and degradation, decreasing food base, caught illegally or hunted with dogs, etc.