El Lince-Ibérico : The Iberian Lynx
Welcome/Bem vindo to Lince-Ibérico.
I am a wildlife photographer and conservationist based in Portugal and Swaziland, Southern Africa.
This site is dedicated to focussing attention on the plight of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) (Portuguese: El lince-ibérico / Spanish: El lince ibérico). Its conservation status is 'Critically Endangered' and it is the world's rarest species of cat. It may already be extinct in Portugal. Down from around 3,000 cats in 1960, the total world population now stands at 150 individuals that still cling to survival in Andalucia, Spain. Today the Iberian lynx is only known to breed in the Sierra Morena and Coto Doñana.
The aim of this website is to promote wildlife conservation and to assist efforts to save the Iberian lynx from the very real threat of extinction.
Iberia is also home to another extremely rare animal, the Spanish Imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti). Its conservation status is 'Vulnerable' and it is the rarest eagle in Europe. The Spanish Imperial eagle also has its stronghold in parts of Andalucia where the Iberian lynx can still be found, though the eagleis also found further afield in Spain's Sierras. Today there are between 300 and 400 Spanish Imperial eagles left. Both the Iberian lynx and the Spanish Imperial eagle feed predominantly in rabbits. So the fates of both these threatened species are linked in a number of ways.
I will be happy to set up links to websites that promote conservation of the Iberian lynx or the Spanish Imperial eagle. Or any website that encourages wildlife conservation or Eco-tourism in the Iberian peninsula (Portugal and Spain).
I have visited the Sierra de Andujar in Andalucia, though sadly did not manage to see any lynxes. I have posted a few photographs of the lynx's habitat as well as picture of road signs about lynx conservation in the Parque Natural. See: Sierra de Andujar
New Iberian Lynx book published: Iberian Lynx Ex-situ Conservation: An Interdisciplinary Approach. Published by Fundación Biodiversidad in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC) Cat Specialist Group Chief editor: Astrid Vargas (Director, Iberian Lynx Ex situ Conservation Programme; Spanish Ministry of the Environment) / Associated editors: Christine Breitenmoser & Urs Breitenmoser (Co-chairs, IUCN/SSC Cat Specialist Group). This new publication represents the collaborative international work carried out towards the conservation of the Iberian lynx during the past five years, but also portrays similar studies and approaches from other felid species from various areas of the world. The book includes five sections. The first part presents a review of the in situ situation and field conservation activities. The second part deals with genetic aspects and the behaviour and husbandry of Iberian lynx in captivity. The third part compiles papers on veterinary aspects and health issues, which became increasingly important in recent years. The fourth part looks at reproductive physiology of a variety of felid species, placing special emphasis on the latest findings on lynx reproduction. Lastly, the fifth part provides an overview of reintroduction techniques and case studies of felid reintroduction projects. Altogether, 124 contributors from 10 different countries have taken part in the 43 chapters included in the book. Each chapter has been treated as a peer-reviewed paper for a scientific journal, and has been revised by three different experts in the specific subject. Although the book´s main language is English, abstracts and illustration captions from each chapter are presented in both English and Spanish; the prologue, preface and epilogue are also offered in both languages. While presenting scientific research in a wide variety of disciplines, the book also hopes to appeal to the eye of the viewer by including more than 200 photographs contributed by national and international photographers. World renowned photographic artist Joe Zammit-Lucia, has specifically designed the photographs that appear in the front and back covers, as well as the artwork in the opening page of each of the sections. The verses and quotes that appear throughout the book have been largely selected by the authors. The variety of themes, together with the selection of experts and authors from across the world, demonstrates that the Iberian lynx needs international support for its survival, and also reveals how the global conservation society is interested and involved in the recovery of this species, emphasizing how much we all need to work together to prevent the extinction of this magnificent cat.
Latest Iberian LynxNews: Madrid Newspaper Article February 2010: The Iberian lynx, the world's most endangered feline species, could be a step further from extinction after a Spanish woman left €3 million in her will to help protect the animals. A six-year-old captive breeding programme for the lynx is based in Andalucia's Donana National Park. The Madrid newspaper El Pais said the woman had died in October 2008 in Spain's Canary Islands at the age of 60, but that little else was known about her.
Email Contact: serval@lince-iberico.com.pt
Webmaster: Phil Perry - Copyright © 2009