A white Iberian lynx — a creature so rare it has been described as "mythical" — has been caught on video in the wild for the very first time, stunning conservationists and wildlife lovers alike.
The never-before-seen footage was captured on October 22 in the remote mountains of Jaén, southern Spain, per the Daily Mail.
The lynx, known for its elusive nature and now even more remarkable for its snowy-white fur, was filmed calmly surveying its territory in the wild.
A Photographer's Dream Discovery After Months of Searching
The man behind the lens is 29-year-old Spanish photographer Ángel Hidalgo.
While photographing wildlife in its natural environment, he decided to set up a motion-activated camera trap. What he saw in the images stunned him.
“I couldn't believe it. I thought it was a camera effect, and from then on, I dedicated myself to the search for the lynx. I'm still in shock,” he told Spanish National Geographic.
Hidalgo spent months scouring the rugged terrain in search of the elusive feline. Despite hours, days, and weeks of unsuccessful tracking, he refused to give up.
Then, his persistence paid off.
“One ugly morning, after a night of rain, I was walking like so many other times, when suddenly I saw in the distance a white shape that seemed to radiate its own light,” Hidalgo wrote on Instagram.
"I Was Paralysed": A Once-in-a-Lifetime Encounter
When Hidalgo finally saw the lynx in person, the experience left him speechless.
“When I first saw a ‘white Iberian lynx’ with its snowy winter fur and piercing eyes, I was paralysed, I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” he said.
“I felt very lucky to have witnessed this moment, to have been able to see this large lynx in its natural environment. Meeting this feline was an unforgettable memory for me and made me think about the importance of nature and its protection.”
“I hope this long story will inspire some to appreciate and protect the natural beauty of the world around us,” he added.
Why This White Lynx Is So Special — and So Vulnerable
Experts believe this white lynx may have a rare genetic condition called leucism, which causes a partial or total loss of pigmentation — unlike albinism, it does not affect the eyes.
While the condition makes the lynx appear extraordinary, it could be a disadvantage in the wild due to reduced camouflage.
To protect the animal from illegal hunters — still a serious threat to the species — the exact location of the sighting has not been disclosed.
The Iberian lynx has faced a number of challenges over the years. Alongside poaching, a steep decline in wild rabbit populations, their main food source, has added to the struggle for survival.
From Near Extinction to a Conservation Comeback
Once on the brink of extinction, the Iberian lynx population has made a dramatic recovery.
In 2002, fewer than 100 individuals were believed to exist. Today, thanks to dedicated conservation programs, that number has risen to over 2,400 across the Iberian Peninsula.
The species was officially reclassified from "endangered" to "vulnerable" in 2024 — a landmark win for biodiversity in Spain.
According to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO), the population rose by 18.8% in just one year. That includes around 470 breeding females, with a goal of reaching 750 to move the species into a more stable classification.
With help from 21 organizations and various regional communities, the Iberian lynx is now spreading into new areas that conservationists once considered impossible.
These include the Sierra Morena, Montes de Toledo, Spanish-Portuguese Guadiana Basin, Doñana, and even parts of the Sierra Palentina.
The typical Iberian lynx is easily recognized by its sleek brown fur marked with bold black spots, a short tail tipped in black, and the signature ear tufts and facial "beard."
It weighs roughly half that of its Eurasian cousin but carries just as much mystique.