Iberian lynx current situation
Currently, there are only two viable Iberian lynx populations left in the entire world, with fewer than 200 individuals distributed throughout our Andalusian territory, Sierra Morena and Doñana.
The Doñana population is surely the best studied nuclear population, given the various biological, environmental, and distribution studies that exist for the species in the region. The presence of this feline in that region is tied to the Doñana National and Natural Park, today classified as the Doñana Natural Area, and in its surroundings.
In Sierra Morena, systematic field sampling carried out by the Environment Department team between 2001 and 2002, led to the conclusion that the easternmost Andalusian population was restricted to the Andujar and Cardeña-Montoro mountain ranges, both of which are protected natural areas.
Sierra Morena
The continuous information that the Lynx LIFE Project has gathered from the systematic sampling of indirect indices (scats and tracks) and camera traps, has made it possible to study and evaluate the situation of the populations of this species, as well as the actions being taken toward recovery of the lynx.
Since 2001 a 68.9% increase in the lynx's range has been detected in Sierra Morena, which corresponds to a recovery of lost territory.
Currently, the possibility of expanding the lynx's range based on these nuclear populations is very limited, given that they have already occupied the potential habitat, and the adjacent areas have lower quality habitat (lack of rocky outcrops, large expanses of dense pine forest, open meadows and dense scrubland in quartz-slate soils).
Currently it is thought that there are a total of 31 adult female territories, and in at least 17 there has been evidence of breeding in 2007. These territories are divided into two subpopulations, 23 territories in the J†ndula River and 8 in the Yeguas River.
The exchange of individuals between nuclear groups has been confirmed, having registered the exchange of at least 7 lynx in both directions, although there were more that emigrated from Jandula.
Currently, the number of Iberian lynx in this area is estimated to be as low as 135 individuals. The main local Lynx conservation problem in Sierra Morena is the low availability of food outside the lynx's range.
Doñana
In 2007, the Doñana population was seriously diminished by feline leukaemia (viral disease spread by domestic cats), which eliminated at least 11 individuals, the majority from the Coto del Rey population. Therefore, the last productive nucleus in Do§ana has nearly completely disappeared in recent years, thereby seriously threatening the future of the entire population. Further, it is suspected that the high rate of inbreeding among the lynx population is responsible for the animals low defences and, therefore, for the appearance of diseases in the population. Therefore, the Doñana lynx population can only be recovered by recovering reproductive populations and by introducing new blood to decrease inbreeding. Introduction of an individual from the Sierra Morena population is urgently needed to increase the genetic vigour of the population.
Currently, the Doñana population is comprised of around 35 Iberian lynx. Inside the National Park there are a total of 6 territorial adults (5 females and one male), 2 juveniles (one female and one male) and 3 cubs from 2007 (two females and one male). The greatest number of individuals of the population is settled inside the Natural Park. There are 8 territorial adults (5 females and 3 males), 3-4 juveniles spread out (1-2 females and 2 males) and 6 cubs from 2007. Outside the protected areas, there are three more adults (one female and two males), 1-2 juveniles, and at least 4 cubs from 2007. 07.
Iberian Lynx background
The World Conservation Union (IUCN), international organisation charged with cataloguing living beings according to their threatened status, classified the Iberian lynx in 2002 as the most threatened feline on the Planet.
The population of this feline has suffered a noticeable decline in the last 40 years, disappearing from a large part of its area of distribution. Rodriguez and Delibes (1990) estimated the size of the Spanish population to be between 1,000 and 2,000 adult and juvenile individuals spread among 9 very fragmented and isolated subpopulations, with fewer than 350 breeding females. These data changed substantially after the 2002 national census, which counted fewer than 200 lynx present only in the southern half of the Peninsula.
Currently, there are only two viable populations, albeit reduced in size and isolated from one another, one in Sierra Morena (more precisely in the Andujar and Cardeña-Montoro mountain ranges, both Natural Parks), and another in the Doñana Region. In both areas, nearly 90% of the population of the species is found settled on privately owned properties specially reserved for hunting activities.