The (In)visibility of the Iberian Lynx

From Vermin to Conservation Emblem

in Anthropological Journal of European Cultures
Author:
Margarida Lopes-Fernandes Instituto da Conservação da Natureza e Florestas margaridafernandes@icnf.pt

Search for other papers by Margarida Lopes-Fernandes in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
and
Amélia Frazão-Moreira Centro em Rede de Investigação em Antropologia amoreira@fcsh.unl.pt

Search for other papers by Amélia Frazão-Moreira in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
Restricted access

Not much is known about how the cultural image of predators has been constructed in Western contexts and changed through time. This article reviews representations of lynx in Western Europe. A ‘cultural map’ of lynx in historical contexts is presented, and the ‘social visibility’ of the Iberian lynx in Portugal explored. Since prehistoric times the lynx has been an inspiration, an amulet, a creature gifted with extraordinary capacities but also a food item, and a ‘vermin’ to eliminate. Recently, the Iberian lynx has become a global conservation emblem; once a noxious predator, it is now a symbol of wilderness. Examples show how the species acquired visibility and has been appropriated in contemporary contexts such as logos, ‘green’ marketing, urban art or political campaigns. There is also evidence of a new identity construction in Portuguese rural areas where lynx is being reintroduced, exemplifying a process of objectification of nature.

  • Collapse
  • Expand

Anthropological Journal of European Cultures

(formerly: Anthropological Yearbook of European Cultures)

Metrics

All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 1117 519 33
Full Text Views 24 6 1
PDF Downloads 30 11 2