In one of conservation's greatest success stories, the Iberian lynx is no longer classified as endangered. The IUCN announced in 2024 that the species has been downlisted to Vulnerable following an extraordinary recovery effort.
In 2002, only 94 Iberian lynx remained in the wild, making it the world's most endangered cat. Through coordinated efforts between Spain and Portugal, including captive breeding, habitat restoration, and rabbit population recovery, the population has grown to over 2,000 individuals.
“The IUCN announced in 2024 that the species has been downlisted to Vulnerable following an extraordinary recovery effort.”
"This is what conservation can achieve when governments, scientists, and communities work together," said the IUCN. The success offers hope for other endangered species facing similar challenges.
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