Title: 2. Is natural wildlife endangered?
Course: What can WE do for biodiversity? The European Strategies for habitat conservation

What can we do to help the Iberian lynx to survive?

Once regarded both as an attractive hunting trophy and as a vermin[1]

The Iberian lynx has been brought to the brink of extinction because of a combination of threats that include the radical decrease of rabbits, the lynx's principal prey; a serious reduction in habitat; being caught in snares set for rabbits; accidental deaths caused by speeding vehicles on the expanding road network, and illegal hunting.

Decreasing food base Rabbits form the main prey of the Iberian lynx. Epidemics, such as myxomatosis and the hemorrhagic disease, have affected rabbit populations over the years, which has in turn affected the Iberian lynx population. | Car hits The construction of high speed roads and highways, splitting up the Lynx habitat, is another of the main threats for this wild cat. 2014 was a black year: 22 animals died under the wheels of a car. A very high number, given the small population of the species.
Habitat loss and degradation Infrastructures like roads, dams, railways and other human activities contribute to the loss and fragmentation of the Iberian lynx distribution area, creating barriers between the different populations and obstructing the exchange of individuals among them, which raises fears for its genetic viability and resistance to disease. It is thought that between 1960 and 1990, the Iberian lynx suffered an 80% loss in its range. Look at the figures 1 and 2 to see how fragmented the Iberian lynx habitat is. | Illegal Hunting Ironically, in the past the species was regarded both as an attractive hunting trophy and as a vermin. Hunters prized its valuable fur and its meat, and although some landowners appreciate its tendency to keep fox and rabbit numbers down, most perceive it as a threat to their game populations. The Iberian lynx was legally protected against hunting from the early 1970s, but they are still the victims of guns, traps and snares, particularly those set for other animals.
Climate change

Under future climate change conditions, it is unclear if the regions where the lynx currently lives will still be suitable for the species. The current reintroduction program, which is expanding the lynx’s range to the north, could improve its resilience to climate change.

Protected areas to stimulate the survival of the lynx

The Spanish government has proposed 72 sites to be included in the Natura2000 network (European Habitat Directive) to conserve the lynx habitat, covering more than 2,750,000 hectares (approximately the surface of the Galicia region).

The relevancy of each area differs from one to the next. WWF-Spain/Adena considers that these areas do not cover all the important habitats for the lynx. In particular, some important corridors have not been included. For this reason, WWF/Adena has compiled a new list of relevant areas and corridors to be included in the Natura2000 network (74 sites with a total surface of 2,7 million hectares).

Habitat loss is probably the greatest threat to the variety of life on this planet today[2]

It is identified as a main threat to 85% of all species described in the IUCN's Red List (those species officially classified as "Threatened" and "Endangered"). Forest loss and degradation is mostly caused by the expansion of agricultural land, intensive harvesting of timber, wood for fuel and other forest products, as well as overgrazing. Human impact on terrestrial and marine natural resources results in marine and coastal degradation. Population growth, urbanization, industrialization and tourism are all factors.

[1] Modified text from: WWF. (s. f.). Iberian Lynx - Threats. Recuperado 15 de junio de 2020, de https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/wildlife/profiles/mammals/iberian_lynx/ibelynx_threats/#:~:text=Infrastructures%20like%20roads%2C%20dams%2C%20railways,genetic%20viability%20and%20resistance%20to

[2] Adapted from: WWF. (s. f.-b). Losing their homes because of the growing needs of humans. Recuperado 15 de junio de 2020, de https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/wildlife/problems/habitat_loss_degradation/