Helping to Protect the Iberian Lynx in Spain

The Iberian lynx is the world's most endangered wildcat species. Threatened by loss of habitat, and by a severe reduction in the availability of prey species, the lynx has been designated by the European Commission as a priority species that requires strict protection. Nevertheless the Spanish government recently estimated that the lynx population had been reduced to between 150 and 200 individuals, a number too small to ensure its continued survival.

In response to this crisis, BP in Spain is working with the Global Nature Fund, (a private, non-profit foundation dedicated to protecting the environment), to support the needs of the lynx. With the advice of the Worldwide Fund for Nature, BP is also helping to restore lynx habitat in southwestern Spain operating with the NGOs Fundación Doñana and Estación Biológica de Doñana.

BP in Spain is supporting this effort in three different ways:

• using resources to aid habitat projects
• re-publishing a public education book, the WWF’s ‘Lince Ibérico’
• raising public awareness of the lynx through advertising and marketing campaigns.

In addition to public education materials, BP in Spain is trying to actively involve its customers in the campaign to save the Iberian lynx by awarding them loyalty points whenever a BP product is purchased. Customers will be able to redeem these points for guided tours through the lynx preserve, as well as for promotional items such as products, t-shirts, and movie tickets.