| Summary: | During the last 70 years, the Iberian lynx Lynx pardinus has experienced dramatic changes in its environment, range size, and population size. In a context of widespread support for Iberian lynx conservation, its recent downgrading from Critically Endangered to Endangered in the IUCN Red List has drawn some public concern. Here we expand the summarized account published in the IUCN Red List website to illustrate how assessments are performed in well studied species. Assessment requires assignment to the highest threat category for which the species qualifies according to any of five criteria. Using 2012 as the reference year, no decline was observed during the last three lynx generations, and criteria regarding Population size reduction (A1, A2 and A4) were not met. Under criterion B (Geographic range) the species should be listed as Vulnerable. Considering Criterion D (Very small or restricted population), the Iberian lynx should be assigned to the Endangered category because in 2012 the estimated number of mature individuals (168) was under the established threshold of 250. A complex population model incorporating the combined effects of climate change, prey availability and conservation strategies reveals the critical need of maintaining current reintroduction efforts to avoid lynx extinction. If this condition is fulfilled, the species should be downgraded to Endangered under criterion E (Quantitative analysis). If reintroductions are discontinued, the category Endangered would be assigned under criteria A3 (Projected population reduction) and C (Small population and decline). We discuss the objectivity, transparency and conservation implications of the Iberian lynx downlisting. Durante los últimos 70 años, las condiciones ambientales, el área de distribución y el tamaño poblacional del lince ibérico Lynx pardinus han experimentado cambios sustanciales. Vivimos un periodo en el que la conservación del lince recibe un fuerte apoyo social y, en este contexto, la reciente catalogación de la especie como En ...
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