The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is one of conservation biology's greatest recovery stories. From fewer than 90 individuals in 2002, the population has grown to over 1,000 by 2024 — yet road mortality, rabbit prey crashes, and genetic management challenges continue to drive welfare concerns.
Road mortality causes traumatic injury and death to lynx navigating highway networks fragmented across their recovering range. Rabbit myxomatosis and RHDV outbreaks cause prey crashes that starve lynx, especially during breeding season when females cannot range widely. Cubs orphaned when mothers are killed by cars require intensive captive rearing before reintroduction. In captivity, Iberian lynx have specific welfare requirements: large enclosures with diverse habitat structure, live rabbit prey for natural hunting behaviour, and minimised human contact to maintain wildness for release. The recovery program's success depends on maintaining prey recovery alongside lynx population growth.