Iberian lynxes scavenging on ungulate carcasses: An overlooked important resource and potential risk for an endangered predator

Abstract

Carrion is a valuable food source for predators, but its role for specialist predators has received little attention. We recorded the unnoticed scavenging behavior of the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) on wild ungulate carcasses in a reintroduced lynx population of central Spain. Seven of the 13 carcasses experimentally placed (54 %) were visited and scavenged by Iberian lynxes. Five carcasses (38 %) were scavenged by more than one lynx (one to seven individuals) and sometimes by several individuals at the same time (two adults and one young). Large proportion of the lynxes in the study area (12 of 17; 71 %) ate carrion. Our observations are surprising and suggest that this behavior is probably more common in this species than previously assumed. In addition, this behavior has implications for the conservation of this threatened species, since it confirms the potential risks associated with the consumption of carrion from animals killed by disease, or by human activities such as livestock rearing or hunting. The potential conservation problems that may arise from carrion consumption by lynxes, such as exposure to disease-causing pathogens, toxins, poisoning due to the lead ammunition or even intentional poisoning, should be evaluated in-depth. Likewise, the use of ungulate carrion could be an important resource for lynxes in areas with low rabbit abundance, and probably as a management tool in conservation programs.