The critically endangered Iberian Lynx, native to the Iberian Peninsula in southwest Europe , is one of the most endangered big cats in the world. There are two isolated breeding populations left in the wild- one in Andalusia, the other in southern Spain.
One hundred years ago, there were 100,000 Iberian Lynx,- but that population declined to as few as 220, recently. Even though the Iberian lynx is fully protected from hunting, it is still the victim of traps and snares set for other animals, poisoning, feral dogs, poaching and they are run over by motorists.
Iberian lynx habitat is fragmented and lost due mainly to infrastructure improvement, urban and resort road and dam developement and tree monocultivation. In addition, the lynx prey population of rabbits is also declining due to diseases.
We ask that permanent, extensive territory be set aside as a lynx reserve and sanctuary and that rabbit recovery be supported by placing a temporary ban on rabbit hunting and poaching. If the lynx dies out, it will be the first big cat to go extinct since prehistoric times- and it is preventable.
United States Press Counselor: Gregorio Laso Móstoles
Address: CL.. Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 2375 - 5 20037 (Washington, D.C.)
E-mail: consejeria.washington@mpr.es
Telephone: 00/12.02-728.23.32
Fax:00/12.02-728.23.08
The critically endangered Iberian Lynx, native to the Iberian Peninsula in southwest Europe , is one of the most endangered big cats in the world. There are two isolated breeding populations left in the wild- one in Andalusia, the other in southern Spain.
One hundred years ago, there were 100,000 Iberian Lynx,- but that population declined to as few as 220, recently. Even though the Iberian lynx is fully protected from hunting, it is still the victim of traps and snares set for other animals, poisoning, feral dogs, poaching and they are run over by motorists.
Iberian lynx habitat is fragmented and lost due mainly to infrastructure improvement, urban and resort road and dam developement and tree monocultivation. In addition, the lynx prey population of rabbits is also declining due to diseases.
We ask that permanent, extensive territory be set aside as a lynx reserve and sanctuary and that rabbit recovery be supported by placing a temporary ban on rabbit hunting and poaching. If the lynx dies out, it will be the first big cat to go extinct since prehistoric times- and it is preventable.
United States Press Counselor: Gregorio Laso Móstoles
Address: CL.. Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, 2375 - 5 20037 (Washington, D.C.)
E-mail: consejeria.washington@mpr.es
Telephone: 00/12.02-728.23.32
Fax:00/12.02-728.23.08
