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Europe's most elusive and very endangered cat!

David Dancey-Wood
Mar 25
2 min read

A few Years a go a very special client of mine approached me about a very special cat that was close to his heart. The cat was one of the most endangered species in the world and certainly Europe’s most elusive and, on the very verge of extinction.

For those of you who hadn’t already guessed, I am talking about the Iberian Lynx from the south western Iberian peninsula of Spain and Portugal. I was intrigue to say the least, as I had drawn other lynx from North America and Eurasia but was not familiar with the Iberian Lynx. The client wanted to commission me to draw this lynx and had himself done a significant amount of research and, was even prepared to supply some amazing reference material.

When I took my first good look at the cat I was quite surprised as to how it was so different from other lynx species and was incredibly distinctive. A very special feline in a class of it’s own. I love all big cats but the lynx has always ranked down among the lower ranks with my own personal popularity, along with the very scrubby looking Jaguarundi. However as I immersed myself into this commission this was something that was soon to take a new direction, as the furry little Hispanic friend really started to grow on me.

I am now coming to completion of my Iberian Lynx picture and have grown very fond of his wonderful tassels that hang under his cheeks and the delightful little tufts on the end of his ears. They also have the most amazing paws, I am guessing is to deal with some of the harsher winter conditions they go through each year.

Some call the Iberian Lynx, the Miracle cat, as it came so close to the edge of extinction and has made a remarkable recovery through the help and aid of conservationists and scientists. My hat goes off to these people as they have kept one of Europe’s most incredible animals with us and with a bit of luck, hard work and education, for generations to come. I hope you all enjoy the new Lynx drawing, due to one thing and another it took an enormous length of time to complete but I am finally nearing the finishing line.

Limited editions will be available in the coming weeks but like the animal itself they too will be very few and perhaps will become elusive.