The iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is ⁢the world's most endangered feline. Once ⁢widespread ⁢across the Iberian Peninsula, its population plummeted in the⁣ 20th century due to habitat loss, prey⁢ scarcity (primarily rabbits), and hunting. Intensive conservation efforts,⁤ including habitat restoration, rabbit population recovery, and captive breeding programs, have led to a meaningful, though still precarious, recovery.

The white coloration ⁣of this ⁤lynx is due to leucism,⁤ a genetic condition that results in a partial loss of pigmentation. This⁢ differs⁣ from albinism, which is a complete lack of melanin. Leucistic animals frequently enough have blue eyes and may have some pigment in their⁤ skin or fur. leucism is caused by a recessive gene, meaning both parents must carry the gene for a white offspring to be born.