Wild female Iberian Lynx, Ciudad Real, Spain

The Iberian lynx is one of the world’s most endangered wild cats, native to Spain and Portugal. It is recognisable by its spotted coat, short tail, and distinctive facial tufts. The lynx depends heavily on rabbits for food, which caused serious declines when rabbit populations collapsed. Habitat loss also threatened the species. Intensive conservation programmes, including captive breeding and habitat restoration, have helped numbers recover in recent years. Although still vulnerable, the Iberian lynx is now a major conservation success story in Europe. Continued protection and public support remain essential for its long-term survival in changing Mediterranean landscapes and ecosystems.

Photo by Diego Delso under a Creative Commons license