A white Iberian lynx — the first ever documented — has been spotted in the mountains of Jaén, southern Spain. The rare wildcat, captured on video by Spanish wildlife photographer Ángel Hidalgo, is being hailed as a symbol of hope and a milestone in the ongoing recovery of the once-endangered species. The lynx, with its cream-colored fur, sharp eyes, dark ear tufts, and signature facial ruff, displays leucism — a rare genetic condition that causes partial pigment loss but does not affect vision or overall health. “I’ve been setting up cameras for years with many failed attempts,” Hidalgo said. “This time, nature gave me something truly unique. Experts confirmed the condition after analyzing the footage. To protect the animal, authorities have not revealed its exact location, especially as the video has already gone viral online. Once on the brink of extinction, the Iberian lynx population has rebounded thanks to major conservation efforts led by the Spanish government, NGOs, and EU-funded programs. From fewer than 100 individuals in 2002, the population has grown to around 2,000 by 2025. However, conservationists warn that the white lynx’s pale coat may reduce its camouflage and make survival more difficult. Even so, the sighting is seen as a powerful reminder of nature’s resilience and the success of ongoing conservation work.
