Pyrenean lynx: a success story of conservation

Pyrenean lynx have been removed from the list of endangered species, although they were on the brink of extinction at the beginning of the century. At the start of the 20th century, Pyrenean lynx were a common species in the forests of Spain, Portugal, and southern France. However, over the next century, the population drastically declined due to hunting and the destruction of natural ecosystems. As a result, the species was on the verge of complete disappearance. In 2001, there were only 62 adult Pyrenean lynx left in the world, living in two isolated areas in Andalusia. However, currently, there are over 2000 young and adult animals living in the wild. They are rapidly increasing in numbers thanks to captive breeding, habitat restoration, and reintroduction.