Iberian lynx :
Mediterranean best
The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is the most iconic animal in Spain and Portugal, symbol of wilderness, Mediterranean terrestrial ecosystems and nature conservation. What a beauty of an animal!
In early 2000′ the species reached its worst situation with less than a hundred individuals surviving in only two locations: the famous Coto Doñana and the, then mostly ignored, Sierra de Andújar. During this period, Iberian lynx was the most threatened cat in the world, despite being protected and occurring in a western developed country. Then, various LIFE projects initiated serious in-situ (mostly rabbit projects) and ex-situ (breeding programme) conservation. It must be acknowledged that Spanish workers gave way more than their accountable hours and suffered “honcho” management… Finally, the species went through! And today, we can all enjoy the increasing success of the lynx conservation programme.
Lynx conservation: from less than 100 individuals in early 2000′ to more than a thousand in 2020′
Today, we can observe lynx in the wild with relative ease. What does it mean? In Andújar, in winter time, lynxes are seen on a daily basis. Observers and photographers join tours with local guides and sightings are very common.
Unlike other lynx species, the Iberian breed is much less shy. This news shocked the Spanish nature enthusiasts when Quercus, an influential wildlife journal, published a paper untitled “The lynx gives facilities to be observed“. Does this mean you will see the animal for sure? Of course, not…
If you know your trade (places, timing, weather conditions, field craft, good optics) and you spend long time in active search, you have a fair chance to see Iberian lynx in the wild… totally free animals. How many places can offer such good chances to see any lynx? Very few… This is why we consider Andalusia’ s lynx safari a world class ecotourism destination.
Having the chance to actually see lynx is still a privilege, so we must also assume that we may only be able to search for it and enjoy its natural habitats and accompanying fauna (Imperial eagle, Black vulture, Azure magpy and so on).
Today, we can observe lynx in the wild with relative ease. What does it mean? In Andújar, in winter time, lynxes are seen on a daily basis. Observers and photographers join tours with local experts and sightings are very common.
Unlike other lynx species, the Iberian breed is much less shy. This news shocked the Spanish nature enthusiasts when an influential wildlife journal published a paper titles “The lynx gives facilities to be observed“. Does this mean you will see the animal for sure? Of course, not…
If you know your trade (places, timing, weather conditions, field craft, good optics) and you spend long time in active search, you have a fair chance to see Iberian lynx in the wild, totally free animals. How many places can offer such good chances to see any lynx? Very few… This is why we consider Andalusia’ s lynx safari a world class ecotourism destination.
Having the chance to actually see lynx is still a privilege, so we must also assume that we may only be able to search for it and enjoy its natural habitats and accompanying fauna (Imperial eagle, Black vulture, Azure magpy and so on).
Unforgetable experience of sighting wild lynxes in Andalusia
Current Conservation programme. Life LynxConnect.
Report of my first trip to Andújar leading a tour as G3-guide with Dutch observers. Three kings and six lynx.
The Iberian lynx behaviour is different to some extent from its European sibling (Lynx lynx). Sighting the large cat in Andalusia often blows the mind about large carnivores attitude… So the following lines are as much interesting data as they are potentialy ruining you the surprise. You may want to discover all the following information by your own in the field instead of reading it on a website. Please consider this thrill before following with your reading.
Large carnivores are usually immensely difficult to observe in the wild in Europe
Of course, nothing is guaranteed and only a patient and recurrent observer will be able to confirm those remarks.
Spoiler alert: keep you the surprise of lynx behaviour for the field
Frequent diurnal activity happens especially in winter time… or better said, outside the very hot and long season of the summer, when the large cat spends most of the daytime resting in deep shadow. From December to February, the temperatures are low and the rut season takes place, meaning a huge increase of observations and breeding-related activities. This is no surprise that winter is the high season for lynx safaris in Andalusia.
It was gradually accepted that Iberian lynx are not utterly solitary and present social behaviours. Male, female and two or three cubs or juveniles are regularly seen together. This is not common, but it can be seen by regular observers. In early 2000′, this situation was not well appreciated by scientists… which give you a clue about how much knowledge has been gained in recent years thanks to the efforts of the whole “Iberian lynx community” (scientists, conservationists, landowners and aficionados).
Iberian lynx are not very much afraid by friendly humans being the top predators of the Mediterranean forest (Spanish “Monte mediterráneo”). Nowadays, in long term established territories, the feeling of the threat by human must be low, given the slow pace of the large cats in the field. Indeed, lynx and observers look at themselves aware of each other on a regular base.
Their territory ly often in large private fincas (estates) with regular human activities. Conservation programmes also meant an increase of human presence in some of those areas for a very long time. Despite initial reticence by authorities and land owners more than 20 years ago, plenty of observers and photographers come for the lynx… It is difficult to assess, but we consider that nowadays very little disturbed cats get more used to respectful humans. And if it were not the case, most observations would deal with fleeing individuals.
The overall result is that sightings last often more than a handful of minutes. Which is incredible considering large carnivores in general and such a rare animal in particular. Isn’t it thrilling to think that such a persecuted species is nowadays well considered and loved by so many people? And that lynx live in natural “relaxed” manner.