Iberian
Lynx - Lynx pardinus
By: C.M.Shorter
The Iberian Lynx or Spanish Lynx is currently the most
endangered "Wild Cat" species in the world. Hunting
along the Spanish-French border this native of the Mediterranean
woodlands moves along grasses on the edges of meadowland
hunting their favorite prey - the European rabbit. Although
these rare hunters will take other prey when rabbits are
scarce, it is these same rabbits that put them at the greatest
risk.
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One of Iberian Lynx's remaining strongholds
is the Coto Donana National Park and efforts are being made by
the Spanish National
Nature Conservation Institute (ICONA) to preserve the species.
Alarming decline in animal count has accelerated effort to create
natural habitat corridors for the Iberian Lynx and the European
Hare in these meadowlands, including reduction and removal of competing
grazing animals, and a campaign of environmental awareness. Modernization
of roads and highways has resulted in many vehicle fatalities with
counts so significant they are deemed a severe threat to the species,
much like the fate and resulting protection of the extremely rare,
small Key Deer residing in the Florida Keys and the Florida
Panther.
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Only a few years
ago it was thought there were less than 500 Iberian Lynx
left in the world today. Recent
forecasts by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reports there are
less than 150 Iberian Lynx remaining and only 30 breeding females
remain of this species. What does the Iberian Lynx have in
common with wine? Strange comparison as our Wild Cats are not
known to be heavy "drinkers"! There has been a full
blown boycott and plea with the wine industry to stop harvesting
the cork oak forests. These old world forests are home to Iberian
Lynx and conservationists want the industry to offer consumers
an alternate "stopper" for their wine in order to
preserve this habitat.
The cork forests are being stripped for wine bottle corks
creating an alarming rate of destruction with over 15 billion
corks taken annually. Sustainable forestry programs have been
implemented and synthetic corks and screw top options may very
well be the answer to prevent the Iberian Lynx from becoming
extinct. It is however a Catch-22 situation, as it is the same
interest that conservationists have activated for finding alternatives
to prevent destruction of the cork forest has decreased demand.
So much so, this has caused the farmers to fell the cork trees
and turn to alternative crops which still leads to massive
habitat destruction for the Iberian Lynx.
Remember, Otter John's words as he
said in the first of our Educational
Video Series - "Florida's
Wild Future" - "Before
you can save the animal you must FIRST save the Habitat".
These are words of wisdom that ring true for saving all of
our planet's Endangered Species.
Detailed specie and sub-specie information,
including sizes, territory range and habits are included in
our PowerCats Educational
Curriculum under index heading of Lynx which includes some
great Lynx
Pictures.
Status: Iberian Lynx are listed as Critically
Endangered by the IUCN Red List and placed on CITES Appendix
I being given
the highest priority in terms of protection and research.
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Scientific Name: Oncifelis geoffroyi
Common Name(s): Geoffroy's Cat
Range: South America - Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay
Average Weight: 3 - 8 kg (7 - 17 lbs)
Length: 70 - 110 cm (28 - 44")
Diet: Carnivorous. Small mammals, bird, lizards, rodents -
mice, rats & guinea pigs, fish, frogs and insects
Gestation Period: 72 - 78 Days
Cub Maturity: 6 - 8 Months
Cubs Per Litter: 1 - 4 Kittens. (2-3 Kittens average per litter)
Lifespan: 12 - 18 years.
Predators: Man. Larger Carnivores occupying same territory,
snakes and young to birds of prey.
Social Structure: Solitary.
Territory Size: 5 - 9.5 km (3 - 5.5 miles)
Conservation Status: Placed on CITES Appendix I in 1992.
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