World’s Most Endangered Cat Infected with Deadly Disease
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons. By: Lynxexsitu.es.
Many felines across the globe are endangered, such as the Snow Leopard, the Sumatran Tiger, and the Asiatic Cheetah. However, none of them can compare to the situation of the Iberian Lynx.
The Iberian Lynx is the most endangered cat species in the world. It’s small in size—about 60-70 cm (23.6-27.5 inches) tall and 85-110 cm (33.4-43.3 inches) long (not including the 12-30 cm tail) and has leopard-like spots. Given its small size, this lynx typically hunts animals no larger than a rabbit, including birds, mammals, and reptiles.
This feline used to roam across the entire Iberian Peninsula. Now, it’s restricted to a very small portion of its former range; with breeding only occurring in 2 areas of Andalucia (Spain). The good news is 2 special breeding facilities have been set up in Spain to help the lynx. The bad news is a number of the cats have fallen victim to Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).
The Iberian Lynx already faces problems from urban development, hunting, and a decline in prey (due to a disease killing off wild rabbits). Even their own natural instinct works against them, because cubs that are between 30 and 60 days old will attack and kill their own siblings quite often. Now, as for the disease, it has already killed 3 of the 72 captive animals since December. To make matters worse, over 1/3rd of the felines in both facilities also have symptoms of CKD.
According to the Iberian Lynx Conservation Programme:
“[Veterinarians] are working and consulting with experts to try to find the possible origin of the CKD, as well as trying to put in place measures that could prevent the emergence of new cases.” … “For now, the focus is on maintaining and providing palliative care to the high percentage of the population affected by this disease.”
Chronic Kidney Disease only affects the felines in captivity. Unfortunately, there are less than 200 Iberian Lynxes left in the wild. To find out more about them and how you can help, check out the list of links below.
By Heidi Marshall
Further Information:
Programa de Conservacion Ex-Situ del Lince Iberico (in Spanish)
SOS Lynx
WWF: Iberian Lynx
Iberian Lynx Conservation Information
WalkOnTheWildSide.org: Iberian Lynx
International Society for Endangered Cats
Big Cat Rescue: Saving the Iberian Lynx
I have been with GreenFudge for about a year now, but I've had a passion for Nature my entire life. When I'm not writing articles, you can find me out hiking, gardening, working on green craft projects, or taking photos for my website. You can check out the site at http://arkisaeo.com
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Tags: captivity, cat, chronic kidney disease, CKD, critically endangered, endangered species, feline, Iberian Lynx, Spain
Some reference URLS:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/26/world/asia/26zoo.html?_r=1&ref=asia
Zoo Animals Sickened by Tainted Chinese Milk
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2008-10-20-3519812911_x.htm
Chinese raccoon dogs die from tainted food
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/china/3083866/China-tainted-milk-crisis-Young-animals-poisoned.html
Baby orangutans and a lion cub..
I’d be checking what the animals have been fed… melamine, cyanuric acid, etc in milk products, or milk derivatives, any commercially mixed food with ingredients sourced from China or even thru the US. Is their protein “real” or just high nitrogen?
If it’s only captive animals, all bets are on the food given to them as the first factor. Either it’s contaminants that the FDA & Pet Food Industry & Animal Feed Industry “allow” in pet foods/animal feed or the nutrition isn’t what the animal requires. Either way, it’s a nutrition issue first IMO.