Kathrine Frich
High in the misty mountains of southern Spain, a young wildlife photographer captured something no one had ever seen before.
Her camera lens locked on a ghostly white figure resting in the sunlight, and in that instant, the world’s “first-ever” white Iberian lynx revealed itself to humanity.
A ghost in the mountains
The sighting took place in the rugged hills of Jaén province, Andalusia.
Ángel Hidalgo, a 29-year-old wildlife enthusiast, had been monitoring the area with trail cameras for months when she spotted an unusual flash of movement among the trees.
Posting her find on Instagram, Hidalgo called the animal “The White Ghost of the Mediterranean Forest.”
“In a new area where I began tracking a few months ago, I observed something I couldn’t believe,” she wrote.
“After many weeks of searching, one morning after a night of rain, I saw a white shape that seemed to radiate its own light. I was paralyzed; I couldn’t believe what I was seeing.”
A rare survivor
The Iberian lynx, native to Spain and Portugal, is one of the world’s rarest wild cats.
At the start of this century, fewer than 100 individuals remained, and conservationists feared extinction was inevitable.
Intensive breeding and habitat recovery programs have since restored the population to over 2,000.
The lynx Hidalgo photographed, however, is unique.
Genetic Condition
Experts believe it shows leucism, a genetic condition that removes pigment from fur but leaves eye color untouched.
Unlike albinism, leucism produces animals with natural eye hues and patchy white coats.
The result is a haunting appearance that some have likened to a snow spirit or ancient guardian.
According to Spanish outlet Ahora Jaén, the lynx was seen without a tracking collar, confirming that it is a completely wild specimen rather than one released from a breeding center.
The exact location of the sighting has been kept secret to protect the animal.
Reactions and reflection
Once Hidalgo’s photographs appeared online, they spread quickly across social media.
Many viewers described the lynx as “mythical” or “otherworldly.”
Others compared it to fictional creatures such as Pokémon’s Mewtwo.
One user wrote simply, “That’s an ancient guardian. Look at the eyes — chills.”
For Hidalgo, the moment was deeply personal.
“Encountering this feline made me reflect on the importance of nature and conservation,” she said. “I hope this inspires others to protect the beauty of the world around us.”
Sources: Unilad, Ahora Jaén, Breaking911, Spanish Environment Ministry, University of Jaén.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
