A significant discovery has been made by nature photographer Ángel Hidalgo, who has successfully captured images and video of the first known leucistic Iberian lynx in the Iberian Peninsula. This remarkable individual exhibits a whitish coat, which is much lighter than the typical spotted brown coloration associated with this endangered species.
The sighting occurred on October 22 in Jaén, although Hidalgo has chosen not to disclose the exact location for the safety and well-being of the animal, as reported by the digital publication HojaJaen.com.
Leucism is an extremely rare genetic phenomenon that results in lighter fur coloration, differing from albinism, which produces completely white fur and red eyes. Experts from the Lynx Project have confirmed that this is indeed a leucistic lynx, marking the first official documentation of such an individual in Spain and possibly worldwide, given that this species is endemic to the Iberian Peninsula.
Hidalgo, who is 29 years old and shares his work on Instagram under the handle @angeliyo_o, has set up several hidden cameras across the mountains of Jaén, including areas from the Sierra de Cazorla to Mount Cabezo, which encompass various natural reserves, particularly in the Sierra Sur region. Through these cameras, he has been able to capture images of several lynxes, ranging from cubs to adult males and females.
Referring to the leucistic lynx as “the white ghost of the Mediterranean forest,” Hidalgo hopes that this extraordinary sighting will inspire others to appreciate and protect the natural beauty of the world around us.
