One of a Kind Iberian Lynx Photographed in Spain Has the Animal Conservation Community Elated

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The animal conservation world is elated with the newest discovery caught on camera. It was 29-year-old photographer Angel Hidalgo Garrido that made the amazing sighting. It happened on October 22nd (this authors birthday!) in Spain near the Iberian Peninsula. And yes, they have kept the actual location a secret for the safety of the animal. Because what he saw was mind blowing. It was the worlds first image of an extremely rare Iberian Lynx.

The Iberian Peninsula Photo: By Francisco Antunes – Cropped from [https://www.flickr.com/photos/12285897@N00/480392865, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2083587

So why is this Iberian Lynx special?

Because this is a leucistic Iberian Lynx, the first of it’s kind to be officially documented. And while they’re native and only found in the Iberian Peninsula, it’s possible this is the only one if it’s kind in the entire world! While it’s not considered an albino, leucism is closely related.

Leucism is a genetic condition that causes a partial loss of pigmentation in animals, resulting in an overall pale or patchy appearance. [But] unlike albinism, the animal retains some color. Leucistic animals may have muted colors, irregular patches of white, or appear completely white but still have normal-colored eyes. This condition differs from albinism because it does not completely eliminate melanin production or affect eye color, which remains normal rather than pink.

For the love of animals.

Photographer Angel has a social media page @@angeliyo_o with stunning photos of wildlife that he’s taken over the years. His main method mentioned to is “phototrapping” he tells horajaen reporters.

[Phototrapping] a technique that consists of installing hidden cameras in strategic points of natural habitat to record the passage of wild species. “I’ve been placing cameras for many years, with many failed attempts and hours of work, but this time nature has gifted me something unique,” says excited.

The young photographer was checking one of his cameras when, to his surprise, he discovered the silhouette of this majestic pale-haired cat. “I couldn’t believe it, I had to watch it several times to make sure it was real,” he recounts.

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Iberian Lynx Info

According to our big cat conservation friends at Big Cat Rescue, the Iberian Lynx is a unique cat in it’s own right.

Misc.: The debate continues whether or not the Iberian Lynx is in fact a separate species from the Canadian and Siberian Lynxes, or merely a subspecies. Experts are evenly divided on this subject. But for now, it remains a separate species based on its marked adaptive differences for prey capture. The name Lynx comes from the Greek word “to shine,” and may be in reference to the reflective ability of the cat’s eyes.

Size and Appearance:

The Iberian Lynx is similar in its appearance to the Eurasian Lynx, but about half its size. Adult males weigh on the average 27.5 pounds and the females average 20. The fur is typically grayish, with tints varying from yellowish to rusty and is distinctly spotted. They have a flared facial ruff, long prominent black ear tufts, and long hind legs with a short black tipped tail. Their large, wide-spreading feet are covered in fur, which act like snowshoes, and are effective in supporting the cat’s weight on the snow. They are often confused with their smaller feline cousins the Bobcat, but can be easily distinguished by their tail tips. The tail of the Lynx looks as though it was dipped in an inkwell being black all the way around, whereas the Bobcat’s tail appears to have been painted black on top and white on the bottom.

The European Nature Trust and others have dedicated themselves to helping this gorgeous animal.

The European Nature Trust works with CBD-Habitat to help conserve the Iberian lynx. An emblem of wild Iberia, the Iberian lynx is a key regulator of Spain’s ecosystems, balancing trophic cascades throughout the ecosystem. In the past, the species was abundant across Spain and Portugal, but through poaching, habitat loss and the decline of wild prey, numbers had declined to two isolated populations by the early 2000s.

Felid TAG recommendation: Spanish lynx (Lynx pardinus). Considered one of the rarest species on earth, the Spanish lynx suffers from having disjunct populations, continued habitat loss and accidental death from trappers and automobiles. Although the Spanish are making plans to initiate a captive-breeding program, it is not likely that this species will ever become available for export to North America.