Researchers have uncovered an unexpected key to the Iberian lynx’s survival: a genetic boost from its larger cousin, the Eurasian lynx, thousands of years ago.
Once teetering on the brink of extinction, the Iberian lynx population has made a remarkable recovery, growing from just 25 breeding females in 2002 to over 400 in 2023, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. However, with numbers still fragile, conservationists may find valuable lessons in the species’ past.
A study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution revealed how ancient interbreeding played a crucial role in boosting the Iberian lynx’s genetic diversity, offering hope for its continued survival.
