Overview
- The official census released Friday reports 2,663 Iberian lynx across Spain and Portugal, a roughly 10% rise from 2024 and the highest count on record.
- Census details show 1,711 adults or subadults, 542 territorial females and 952 cubs in 2025, with a fecundity rate of 1.75 that signals ongoing reproductive recovery.
- About 85% of the population is in Spain (2,269 individuals) with Sierra Morena holding the main stronghold at 1,145 lynx.
- Conservationists recorded 273 lynx deaths in 2025 and confirmed 212 of those were road collisions, making vehicle strikes the largest source of non-natural mortality.
- Authorities say the next steps are targeted reintroductions, better habitat connectivity and road-mitigation measures to reach benchmarks of roughly 3,500 animals and 750 breeding females needed for a favourable status.