A keystone species of iberian ecosystems
The European Nature Trust works with CBD-Habitat to help conserve the Iberian lynx. An emblem of wild Iberia, the Iberian lynx is a key regulator of Spain’s ecosystems, balancing trophic cascades throughout the ecosystem. In the past, the species was abundant across Spain and Portugal, but through poaching, habitat loss and the decline of wild prey, numbers had declined to two isolated populations by the early 2000s.
Along with the collaboration of many groups, notably property owners who grant access to their land for conservation purposes, CBD-Habitat Foundation is helping to turn things around for the Iberian lynx. The organisation’s work has helped to recover the population to more than 2,800 today. The benefits of protecting and restoring the Iberian lynx and its habitat extend far beyond the local environment, to the surrounding communities and to the entirety of Europe.
We support CBD-Habitat Foundation in Iberian lynx conservation
Through camera-trapping, radio-tracking, and active surveillance, CBD-Habitat are monitoring the population and health of Iberian lynx populations. A nationwide captive breeding programme is helping to seed new wild populations. Threats to lynx survival – such as hunting, poisoning and road accidents – are being surveyed and mitigated.
A significant threat to lynx has been the decline of its main prey, the wild rabbit, which has been decimated by introduced diseases. CBD-Habitat are sustainably reviving populations of wild rabbit, in order to build the prey base for the Iberian lynx population to expand.
Lynx habitat has also been fragmented by human development and agricultural expansion, and the conversion of diverse Mediterranean forest to monoculture plantations. CBD-Habitat are securing protection for Mediterranean forest, while promoting the ecological conditions for their expansion.
CBD-Habitat’s Achievements
2,800 wild lynx today, up from <100 in the early 2000’s
4552 km² – now the Iberian lynx’s range across Spain and Portugal (0.8% of the Iberian Peninsula)
12,000 hectares – the area now protected by CBD-Habitat
“TENT has given us an opportunity for our work to be more broadly known, as well as supporting our projects”
Nuria El Khadir Palomo
Director, CBD-Habitat
TENT and CBD-Habitat’s Partnership
The European Nature Trust has an annual funding commitment to CBD-Habitat’s conservation work. Our fundraising initiatives enable donors and companies to make further contributions to CBD-Habitat’s work.
Through outreach, media, film, and travel we are raising awareness and engagement with efforts to conserve the species.
Play your role in Iberian lynx conservation
The Iberian lynx is a critical part of the Iberian ecosystem, and of Europe’s biodiversity. On our Iberian Lynx Coexistence Adventure you’ll have the chance to look for lynx in Southern Spain’s most stunning ‘dehesa’ landscapes. This 5-night experience offers unparalleled behind-the-scenes access to Europe’s most remarkable conservation success story; what’s more, 50% of your trip cost per person is a direct donation to CBD-Habitat, helping support the effort to recover Iberian lynx across their historic range.
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Read MoreIberian Lynx Frequently Asked Questions
Uncover answers to some of the most important questions about Iberian Lynx conservation on the Iberian Peninsula.
There are around 2,800 Iberian lynx in the wild today, up from around 100 in the early 2000s. That is an increase of roughly 2,400% in two decades. The species now ranges across 4,552 km² of the Iberian Peninsula.
The Iberian lynx was once abundant across Spain and Portugal. Poaching, habitat loss and the decline of wild prey reduced it to two isolated populations by the early 2000s. Lynx habitat was fragmented by human development and agricultural expansion. Diverse Mediterranean forest was also converted to monoculture plantations.
CBD-Habitat Foundation monitors lynx populations and their health through camera-trapping, radio-tracking and active surveillance. A nationwide captive breeding programme is helping to seed new wild populations. Threats such as hunting, poisoning and road accidents are surveyed and mitigated. CBD-Habitat also secures protection for Mediterranean forest and promotes the conditions for it to expand.
The wild rabbit is the Iberian lynx’s main prey. Rabbit numbers were decimated by introduced diseases, making prey decline one of the most significant threats to the lynx. CBD-Habitat is sustainably reviving wild rabbit populations so the prey base can support a growing lynx population.
CBD-Habitat Foundation now protects 12,000 hectares. Its work relies on collaboration with many groups, notably property owners who grant access to their land for conservation purposes.
The European Nature Trust has an annual funding commitment to CBD-Habitat Foundation’s conservation work. TENT’s fundraising initiatives allow donors and companies to make further contributions. TENT also raises awareness of lynx conservation through outreach and media, as well as film and travel.
Yes. A Coexistence Adventure to Andalucía run by The European Nature Trust and Lynxperience visits CBD-Habitat’s project area. On this 5-night itinerary, you’ll explore the stunning landscapes where Iberian lynx have staged their dramatic recovery, understanding first-hand from conservationists how this success story has unfolded. What’s more, 50% of your trip cost is a direct donation to ongoing Iberian lynx recovery efforts.
