Episode 160: Europe’s Big Three – Wolves, Bears, Lynx. Part 3: Spain’s Missing Lynx Makes A Cautionary Comeback
November 7, 2025
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Iberian Lynx – Photo provided by CBD-Hábitat, Spain
Summary
In this episode, Julius Purcell takes us into the heart of Spain’s Sierra Morena to explore the dramatic recovery of the Iberian Lynx, the world’s most endangered feline. We follow the story from near-extinction to a conservation success, meet the people behind the restoration project, and examine the complex relationship between rural communities, farmers, and rewilding efforts. The episode also delves into the challenges posed by changing European politics, the role of the European Union, and the cultural significance of the lynx in Spain. Along the way, you’ll learn about the importance of rabbit populations, the impact of climate change, and the ongoing debate over reintroducing lynx to other parts of Europe.
Topics:
- Iberian Lynx conservation
- Rewilding in Spain
- Rural community perspectives
- EU environmental policy
- Rabbit-lynx ecosystem
- Climate change
- Cultural symbolism
- Reintroduction debates
- The future of European wildlife restoration
Iberian Lynx – Photo provided by CBD-Hábitat, Spain
Just last week, photographer Ángel Hidalgo released a remote camera image of the first ever photographed white Iberian Lynx
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WOLF BEAR LYNX Series Narrated and Produced by Julius Purcell
Julius Purcell, Narrator & Producer of the 3-part series “WOLF BEAR LYNX” Photo credit: Julius Purcell
Julius Purcell discovered his interest in audio while training as a journalist in the Middle East. He later worked as a deputy editor at National Geographic History magazine, a role that sparked his fascination with environmental history and rewilding. Julius’s audio series for the Rewilding Institute, “WOLF, BEAR, LYNX,” looks at predator restoration across Europe through the prism of history and politics. He lives in Barcelona, Spain — a great base for exploring Europe’s rewilding projects.
Main Content Credits for E160
Produced and presented for the Rewilding Institute by JULIUS PURCELL.
With thanks to contributors:
MARIA JESUS PALACIOS (Director, conservation program of the Junta de Extremadura, Spain); PAUL JEPSON (Rewilder and author); SAMUEL PLA (CBD-Habitat, Spain, and lynx guide for https://lynxperience.es); TOMÁS ANGULO (Rural Police, Extremadura, Spain); JORDI PALAU (author of Rewilding Iberia, and Rewilding Director for Rewilding Spain, part of the Rewilding Europe network); PAU VAZQUEZ (ADLO, L’Associació per la Defensa del Llop i l’Ós al Pirineu)
Dubbed voice: SARAH COLLINS
Music:
Prepared piano: JORGE GUARIN and PALOMA ORTS;
Guitar: ASIER VAZQUEZ MINIÑO
Extra Credit
- Check out CBD-Hábitat‘s page, “Return of the Prince,” to learn more about their important work to restore and protect Iberian lynx populations in Spain.
- Learn more about Ángel Hidalgo and be sure to follow and support great photographers like him. Without their hard work and talent, we’d never see incredible images like the white Iberian lynx!
Director of Digital Outreach (D.O.D.O.) for The Rewilding Institute
Host and Producer of the Rewilding Earth Podcast
Jack started Rewilding work as Executive Director of Sky Island Alliance in the mid-1990’s, organizing the Sky Island Wildlands Network design, ripping up illegal roads on forest service lands, installing wolf acclimatization pens on Ted Turner’s Ladder Ranch & conducting howling surveys to help make way for the final stage of the Lobo reintroduction program in the Southwest.
Through the years, Jack has worked with Dave Foreman and the Rewilding Gang to further Rewilding initiatives and education.