Wildlife photographer captures ultra-rare white Iberian lynx in Spain

The White Iberian lynx, one of the rarest big cats on Earth, has recently been caught on camera for the first time in history and conservationists are delighted by the discovery.

29-year-old wildlife photographer Angel Hidalgo captured the jaw-dropping footage of a pure white Iberian lynx in the mountains of Andalusia’s Jaen province in southern Spain on October 22, 2025.

In an interview with National Geographic Espana, Hidalgo said that he dedicated himself to searching for the lynx, adding, “After weeks of fruitless wandering, one ugly morning, I was finally able to see the creature in person.”

Sharing his work on Instagram, the young photographer wrote, “I came across something that radiated its own light. Upon observing for the first time a ‘White Iberian Lynx’ with its snow-white winter fur and those penetrating eyes, I was stunned, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.”

He described the big cat as “the white ghost of the Mediterranean forest”. The exact location of the sighting has been kept secret as illegal remains the greatest threat to Iberian lynx.

The Iberian lynx was nearly declared extinct in 2002 with only 100 individuals remaining at that time. 

However, extensive conservation efforts have proved to be fruitful and as of 2025, nearly 2,400 lynxes have been recorded roaming the Iberian Peninsula.