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How did rabbit diseases contribute to the Iberian lynx population decline?

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Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) — lynx Also known as the Spanish lynx or the Pardel lynx, the species bears a strong resemblance to the Eurasian lynx (*Lynx lynx*), but it may be distinguished by its smaller size; short, dark-tipped tail; and the presence of long, white, beardlike fur under its chin.

The European rabbit is the primary prey of the Iberian lynx, constituting 80 to 100 percent of its diet. Because the lynx is a specialist predator, the health of its population is intrinsically linked to the availability of rabbits.1

In the 20th century, two major diseases caused widespread declines in European rabbit populations:

Myxomatosis: This disease significantly impacted rabbit numbers beginning in the 1950s.1
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease: Emerging in the late 1980s, this disease further reduced rabbit availability across many areas.1

The resulting scarcity of its main food source had a severe impact on the Iberian lynx, contributing to a dramatic population decline. By the early 2000s, this loss of prey, combined with habitat loss and hunting, left fewer than 100 mature individuals in the wild, leading to the species being classified as critically endangered. Current conservation strategies prioritize the restoration of rabbit populations to ensure the continued recovery of the lynx.12