Iberian Lynx Essay
The only feline to hold the honor of “critically endangered with extinction” is the Iberian Lynx, also known by its specific name, Lynx Pardinus. ("The Murry Foundation”) The Iberian Lynx lives in the Mediterranean woodland biome throughout Spain and Portugal. Its territories are around twenty square kilometers and they mark their boundaries with a scent. ("Lynx Pardinus") The Iberian Lynx is significantly smaller than the Eurasian Lynx with an average height of forty to fifty-one centimeters and an average weight of nine to thirteen kilograms. The animal has a grey brownish coat of fur with black markings on its tufted ears, side burns, and wide feet. ("Iberian Lynx – Lynx”) The Iberian Lynx has an average litter of three cubs that stay for twenty months after birth before leaving the mom. ("Lynx Pardinus") The Iberian Lynx is an “umbrella species’’ so it has high requirements for living such as sustainable development and environmental awareness which is important for other
…show more content…
species also. Being an umbrella species, many other animals and plants in its habitat meet their living requirements when the Lynx does. The Iberian Lynx plays a major role in its environment. The Lynx helps maintain balances in the prey and predator populations by either chasing off or killing mongoose and foxes that enter its territory. Without the lynx, many other species would become endangered also. ("The Murry Foundation”) Since the Iberian Lynx is a specialized feeder, it only eats one thing, rabbits.
Therefore, they do not pose a threat to humans or livestock. However, through legal and illegal urbanization, humans are taking the Lynx’s land. Humans are building forestry plantations on the Lynx’s territory leaving them without a home. Along with the plantations come roads. Several vehicles have killed Iberian Lynx which decrease the population. Also, insufficiently controlled hunting is a major thing on the Iberian Peninsula so there is a lot of illegal killing of this species. Iberian Lynx are deliberately killed as either “vermin”, a threat to the game species, or for “predator control”. ("The Murry Foundation”) Another major reason why the species is endangered is because of the decline in rabbits. Rabbits make up almost one hundred percent of the Iberian Lynx’s diet and in 1950 the rabbit population declined because of disease. Without food, the Iberian Lynx population suffered. ("Iberian Lynx –
Lynx”) There are quite a few laws and awareness programs for the Iberian Lynx. In Spain and Portugal, they are protected under national law and in 1970 killing was completely outlawed. Also, the Iberian Lynx is listed in CITES appendix one meaning that it cannot be traded. As for bringing awareness about the lynx’s declining population, international seminars have been held to change the attitude towards them. These seminars are mainly for the private landowners in the Lynx areas. Another action that has taken place is a captive breeding program for the Iberian Lynx. These breeding programs were created so that the Lynx population will increase. ("Iberian Lynx – Lynx”) Since there a several programs that are working and will continue to work the Iberian lynx population will even out and start to increase.
species also. Being an umbrella species, many other animals and plants in its habitat meet their living requirements when the Lynx does. The Iberian Lynx plays a major role in its environment. The Lynx helps maintain balances in the prey and predator populations by either chasing off or killing mongoose and foxes that enter its territory. Without the lynx, many other species would become endangered also. ("The Murry Foundation”) Since the Iberian Lynx is a specialized feeder, it only eats one thing, rabbits.
Therefore, they do not pose a threat to humans or livestock. However, through legal and illegal urbanization, humans are taking the Lynx’s land. Humans are building forestry plantations on the Lynx’s territory leaving them without a home. Along with the plantations come roads. Several vehicles have killed Iberian Lynx which decrease the population. Also, insufficiently controlled hunting is a major thing on the Iberian Peninsula so there is a lot of illegal killing of this species. Iberian Lynx are deliberately killed as either “vermin”, a threat to the game species, or for “predator control”. ("The Murry Foundation”) Another major reason why the species is endangered is because of the decline in rabbits. Rabbits make up almost one hundred percent of the Iberian Lynx’s diet and in 1950 the rabbit population declined because of disease. Without food, the Iberian Lynx population suffered. ("Iberian Lynx –
Lynx”) There are quite a few laws and awareness programs for the Iberian Lynx. In Spain and Portugal, they are protected under national law and in 1970 killing was completely outlawed. Also, the Iberian Lynx is listed in CITES appendix one meaning that it cannot be traded. As for bringing awareness about the lynx’s declining population, international seminars have been held to change the attitude towards them. These seminars are mainly for the private landowners in the Lynx areas. Another action that has taken place is a captive breeding program for the Iberian Lynx. These breeding programs were created so that the Lynx population will increase. ("Iberian Lynx – Lynx”) Since there a several programs that are working and will continue to work the Iberian lynx population will even out and start to increase.