Iberian lynx  (Lynx pardinus)

Numbers of Iberian lynx have been decimated by habitat loss; scrublands have been converted to agriculture and plantations of pines and eucalypts, and human development such as dams, highways and railways have all encroached on native habitat (2). Conversion of habitat has reduced populations of the lynx's main food source, the rabbit, and rabbit numbers also declined drastically after the introduction of the myxamatosis virus in the 1950s (5) (6). Whilst myxamatosis is not such a threat today, a new disease that arrived in Spain in 1988, (known as viral haemorrhagic pneumonia), is once again threatening rabbit numbers (6). Despite protection measures and heavy fines, illegal hunting continues and the accidental killing of lynx in rabbit traps or with poisoned fox bait is one of the major causes of mortality at present (6).

The Critically Endangered Iberian lynx receives full legal protection in both Spain and Portugal (1). It already occurs in some protected areas, such as Doñana National Park (5), and the Spanish government has proposed the protection of 72 sites to conserve the habitat of the lynx (7). A management plan for the Iberian lynx has been implemented within Doñana National Park, which includes increasing rabbit numbers within the park through habitat improvements, and the removal of ungulates, thus reducing competition with rabbits for food (5). A captive breeding programme is underway, although this has so far produced no young (1). Despite these efforts, numbers of Iberian lynx are still believed to be declining (1), and time may be running out to save the world's most endangered felid.