The lynx pardinus, also called Iberian or Spanish lynx, has developed in the southwest of Europe as an independent species. The animals weigh 9 to 15 kg and are 85 to 110 cm tall.
Of the original 100,000 animals, in 2000 there were only about 100 adult animals left. In particular, the fragmentation of its habitat and the deliberate release of myxomatosis virus (a smallpox virus that was supposed to keep the rabbit population at bay) in the 1950s strongly contributed to the extreme decimation of the population.
Since 1999, one tries to save the beautiful animals on a shielded terrain northeast of Silves.
The Iberian Lynx is nocturnal and hunting a loner. His prey animals mainly include rabbits (about 50-60%). Mice, brown hares, fawns, piglets and birds are also on his menu.