A nature photographer, Angel Hidalgo, has made a remarkable discovery by capturing video and images of the first leucistic Iberian lynx observed in the Iberian Peninsula. This rare specimen exhibits a whitish coloration, significantly lighter than the typical spotted brown fur characteristic of this endangered species.
Hidalgo managed to photograph the lynx on October 22 in Jaén, although he has chosen not to disclose the exact location for the safety and well-being of the animal, according to the digital newspaper HojaJaen.com. Leucism is an extremely rare genetic condition that results in lighter fur without the complete absence of pigmentation or the red eyes associated with albinism.
Specialists from the Lynx Project have confirmed that this is indeed a leucistic individual, marking the first officially documented case in Spain and possibly the world, as this species is native to the Iberian Peninsula, as stated by HojaJaen.com.
The 29-year-old photographer, who shares his work on Instagram under the handle @angeliyo_o, has set up several hidden cameras across the mountains of Jaén, ranging from the Cazorla mountains to Mount Cabezo, where numerous natural reserves are located, particularly in the Sierra Sur region. Through these cameras, he has been able to capture various lynxes, from kittens to adult males and females.
Hidalgo refers to the leucistic lynx as “the white ghost of the Mediterranean forest” and hopes that the story of this unique animal will inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural beauty of the world around us.
