- As human populations expand, the Iberian lynx's natural habitat is being fragmented and destroyed, making it increasingly difficult for the scattered populations of the species to reproduce and survive.
Human activity
- The biggest threat to the Iberian lynx is human activity, such as hunting, habitat destruction and car accidents. Habitat destruction from agriculture, urban development, and mining has drastically reduced the lynx's range, cutting populations into small, isolated groups that are more susceptible to extinction.
Disease
- Additionally, the Iberian lynx is susceptible to diseases such as feline leukemia, which is often fatal to the species.
Low genetic diversity
- Due to the small population numbers, the Iberian lynx has low genetic diversity, making it more susceptible to disease and other threats.
- This limits the species' ability to adapt and recover from challenges, increasing the risk of extinction.
Poaching
- Iberian lynx are also killed for their fur and other body parts, including their teeth, claws, and meat, which are sold on the black market.
- They are also sometimes trapped in snares set for other animals, or shot by hunters who mistake them for other species, such as foxes.
Human-wildlife conflict
- Iberian lynxes sometimes clash with humans, preying on livestock and pets. This can lead to retaliatory killings by farmers and other people, further reducing their numbers.