09/03/2005 – The Iberian
lynx could be the first big cat species to
become extinct in 10,000 years unless the
European Union and Spain take drastic action,
WWF said today.
With only 100 Iberian lynx remaining, the
global conservation organization says that
the EU is actively contributing to the decline
of the species through funding road and dam
development in remaining critical lynx habitat,
and that key lynx territory needs to be urgently
included in the EU’s Natura 2000 network of
protected areas.
According to the most recent comprehensive
survey – conducted in 2004 by the Spanish
government – only two isolated breeding populations
of Iberian lynx remain in Southern Spain,
totalling about 100 animals, with only 25
breeding females.
As recently as two years ago, there were
believed to have been at least 160 lynx.
This new survey data makes the situation
even more critical. Accidental deaths caused
by speeding vehicles on the expanding road
network are now the greatest cause of mortality
for Iberian lynx.
WWF has been urging the Spanish authorities
for over two years to close the Villamanrique-El
Rocio road, which crosses the heart of Doñana
Natural Park and fragments critical lynx habitat.
The road was built with partial funding from
the EU, and several lynx have already been
killed on it, the latest one six months ago.
"With such a small population, the accidental
loss of just one individual brings the species
closer to the brink of extinction," said
Luis Suarez, Head of Species, WWF Spain. "It
is not acceptable that the European Commission's
support to projects aimed at protecting the
Iberian lynx are flouted by simultaneous funding
of harmful infrastructure schemes."
WWF believes the current reform of EU's Structural
Funds should correct such inconsistencies
and guarantee that funds are no longer allocated
to projects that will have a negative impact
on the Iberian lynx or other endangered wildlife.
Previous WWF research showed that 53 heavy
public works in Spain affect the endangered
cat.
Dams are a particular threat, as they flood
valley bottoms which tend to contain the best
Iberian lynx habitat.
EU's Natura 2000 Programme is essential to
secure and increase lynx habitat, as it offers
the strongest level of protection in Europe.
But, according to WWF, the areas proposed
by Spain for Natura 2000 designation don't
cover all critical lynx territory.
In particular, inclusion of the biological
corridor that would connect the remaining
breeding population in Doñana National
Park with the one in Sierra Morena is of utmost
importance.
"We know that these last two populations
are absolutely critical for the very survival
of the species. All key areas for the Iberian
lynx must be included in the Natura 2000 proposal
for the Mediterranean region and the Villamanrique-El
Rocio road must be closed," said Dr Susan
Lieberman, Director of the WWF Global Species
Programme. "The EU cannot pay lip service
to environmental goals, and then proceed to
undermine them. It must take species conservation
seriously."
Other major threats to the Iberian lynx's
survival include plummeting numbers of wild
rabbits (the lynx's principal prey), and illegal
hunting.
NOTE:
The last cat species to go extinct was the
sabre-toothed tiger, some 10,000 years ago.
It lived during the Pleistocene Epoch (the
early part of the Quaternary Period). A fierce
predator, it was about 1.2–1.5 m long, 0.9
m tall, and weighed about 200kg.
