The Iberian lynx, once on the brink of extinction with under 100 individuals, has seen a remarkable recovery, with over 2,000 now roaming in Spain and Portugal. The species faced threats from habitat loss, road fatalities, and a sharp decline in rabbit populations, their primary prey. Conservation efforts began in earnest with Spain's first captive litter in 2005 and Portugal's action plan three years later. Key initiatives include a breeding center in Silves where lynxes are prepared for wild reintroduction while avoiding human association. Despite challenges like road deaths and the species' expansion onto private lands, conservationists remain optimistic, targeting a self-sustainable population of 5,000 by 2035, illustrating a significant conservation success.