World’s first-ever white Iberian Lynx spotted in Spain, video stuns the Internet: ‘Fought brink of extinction’

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is already one of the world’s most endangered felines.

Once on the brink of extinction, the Iberian lynx population was reduced to fewer than 100 individuals in 2002 (Image source: @Breaking911/X)

A photographer in Spain spotted the world’s first-ever white Iberian lynx, one of the rarest cats. The animal exhibits a striking pale coat due to a condition called leucism.

Leucism causes a partial loss of pigmentation in an animal’s fur, resulting in a white or pale appearance, but unlike albinism, it does not affect the eyes. The result is a hauntingly beautiful wildcat that appears almost ghostly against its natural surroundings, EuroWeekly reported.

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is already one of the world’s most endangered felines. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the species is “heavily spotted and weighs about half as much as the Eurasian lynx, with long legs and a very short tail with a black tip.” Its usual coat is “tawny with dark spots,” and it’s known for its distinctive facial “beard” and black ear tufts.

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A photographer in southern Spain captured what is believed to be the first-ever white Iberian lynx, a leucistic big cat so rare it seems almost mythical. Already one of the world’s rarest cats, the Iberian lynx was pulled back from the brink of extinction after its population… pic.twitter.com/rLQrMfbCNq

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 29, 2025

The viral video quickly gained traction, leaving the Internet amazed with the rare finding. “He looks like a 3d animated character but I can’t explain why,” a user wrote.

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“It definitely highlights how much we still have to learn about these amazing animals. Seeing something so unique underscores the importance of all those conservation efforts keeping the Iberian lynx alive in the first place. We need to keep protecting them,” another user commented.

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“This is the kind of conservation news we need! The Iberian lynx has fought from the brink of extinction—and now a photographer captures a mythical white gem! Leucism is a rare genetic quirk that reduces pigment but keeps its eye color normal. We must keep protecting this species!” a third user reacted.

According to experts, the discovery of a leucistic lynx is nothing short of miraculous and a testament to the success of Spain’s ongoing conservation efforts. Once on the brink of extinction, the Iberian lynx population was reduced to fewer than 100 individuals in 2002, the EuroWeekly report stated.

However, scientists caution that the lynx’s snowy coat, while stunning, could prove disadvantageous in the wild. Poor camouflage might make it more vulnerable to predators or reduce its hunting success.