WWF notes that the Iberian lynx loses at least one individual every week to poaching. These tragedies involve shooting, poisoning, or illegal traps, a relentless pattern that threatens to undo hard-won conservation gains for the species.
Analyses conducted within the LIFE SWiPE project framework show a troubling trend. In 2021, poachers killed 68 lynxes, representing about 5% of the population at that time. These figures come from WWF’s conservation research and official statements associated with the project.
For more than twenty years, coordinated efforts have aimed to stabilize and recover the Iberian lynx across its historic range. Today the species persists in roughly 1,668 confirmed individuals in the regions of Spain and Portugal, a number that reflects both progress and ongoing vulnerability.
Despite this hopeful growth, WWF warns that illegal hunting remains a primary threat. Poaching ranks as the second leading cause of unnatural death for the lynx, closely trailing the category of incidents linked to accidents and other perils, collectively accounting for about 5% of deaths by human-related actions.
223 species killed by poachers in two decades
WWF analysis finds that from 2000 to 2021, illegal killings of lynxes totaled 233 deaths, with data available for the most recent incident. Some losses stem from non-selective, cruel methods such as poison baits or traps, while others reflect deliberate actions against the animals.
Moreover, many of these crimes go unpunished or remain unsolved. The WWF report indicates that only about 30% of lynx deaths caused by poaching were detected, underscoring the hidden scale of this threat.
Silvia Díaz Lora, coordinator of the LIFE SWiPE project at WWF Spain, characterizes this poaching data as a stark reminder that wildlife crimes often operate out of public sight.
Regarding the reasons behind lynx deaths, the analysis points to conflicts arising as the species returns to new areas. Attacks on poultry farms and small livestock frequently trigger retaliatory actions, making preventive measures critical.
Ramón Pérez de Ayala, head of lynx conservation at WWF Spain, stresses that the lynx is now widely recognized and valued in its new territories, including among livestock and hunting communities. He emphasizes the need to invest in preventive strategies, such as proactive conflict management and reinforced coop safety, initiatives already underway in many regions supported by the LIFE LynxConnect project.
Thanks to collaboration among management bodies, remediation initiatives, conservation NGOs, and the hunting sector, the Iberian lynx has progressed toward a safer population, moving closer to a balanced recovery.
Pérez de Ayala also notes that poaching must not derail the broader rescue of the Iberian lynx, which stands as a global conservation milestone and a source of regional pride. He calls for sustained government action to prioritize wildlife crime prosecutions and for broad citizen participation to condemn all forms of poaching.
If the situation worsens, regional and national authorities should strengthen enforcement, foster cross-border collaboration, and support community-led prevention programs that reduce the likelihood of conflicts between lynxes and human activities.
The broader community is urged to remain vigilant and cooperative to protect the species and its habitat. The ongoing efforts, backed by scientific research, fieldwork, and community engagement, form the backbone of the Iberian lynx’s hopeful trajectory.
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