- The number of adult or subadult individuals is 1,105 and the number of cubs born in 2022, 563
- Despite these data, the species remains in danger of extinction
The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) working group, coordinated by the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), has prepared a report with the results of the Iberian lynx population monitoring carried out in 2022 by the Spanish autonomous communities with a stable presence of the species (Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura) and by the Portuguese authorities. The document shows that the Iberian lynx population has reached 1,668 specimens in both countries. This figure is the highest number recorded since conservation programs for the species have existed, and represents a very significant increase, taking into account that in 2002 less than 100 specimens had been counted. More than 300 new specimens have been counted compared to 2021, following the trend of growth continued since 2015. This positive demographic evolution allows us to be optimistic about the reduction of the risk of extinction of the Iberian lynx. However, it is necessary to continue the efforts underway since the species is still considered “Endangered” in the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species. Most of the specimens (84.3%) are found in Spain, distributed in six nuclei of Andalusia, which host 37.6% of the total population, followed by the four nuclei of Castilla-La Mancha -with 35.0% of the lynxes- and Extremadura, with 195 specimens in four nuclei of stable presence. In Portugal, 261 lynxes live in the Guadiana Valley area, in three different sub-nuclei (Mértola, Serpa and Alcoutim). In total there are 15 nuclei with a stable presence of lynxes throughout the Iberian Peninsula, the most important being those located in the surroundings of Sierra Morena -with a total of 782 lynxes-, the Montes de Toledo (272), the Guadiana Valley (261) and the Matachel area in Extremadura (138). In 2022, 563 births of 326 breeding females have been counted. Global productivity, understood as the number of puppies born per breeding or territorial female, was 1.72. All the main population parameters considered (total number of lynxes, number of breeding females and number of cubs born) show a positive trend since the start of the coordinated action programmes in 2002. European funding, through several Life projects, has also contributed significantly to the smooth running of the programme. KEY ROLE OF CAPTIVE
BREEDINGThe ex situ conservation programme, which includes captive breeding and the reintroduction of specimens, is the result of coordinated actions within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding for the development of a single coordinated programme of actions for the implementation of the Iberian Lynx Conservation Strategy in Spain. signed between MITECO and the autonomous communities of Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha and Extremadura. Portugal is also actively involved in this coordinated programme for captive breeding. Since the first releases of individuals born in captivity into the wild began in 2011, 338 specimens have been reintroduced until 2022.
MITECO, through the Autonomous National Parks Agency, actively contributes with its own funds to this ex situ conservation program, maintaining and managing two of the four existing breeding centers: Zarza de Granadilla (Extremadura) and El Acebuche (Andalusia). The remaining breeding centres are managed by Andalusia (La Olivilla Breeding Centre) and Portugal (Centro Nacional de Reprodução de Lince Ibérico or Centro de Silves).
The technical report prepared within the working group of the Iberian lynx in Spain and Portugal, made up of the competent environmental administrations, can be consulted on the MITECO website.
