Spain Wildlife News and Updates

Stay informed with the latest news and updates on Spain’s wildlife. From conservation efforts and species sightings to environmental initiatives, this category covers all the important developments affecting Spain’s natural habitats. Learn about rare and endangered species, ecological research, and initiatives that protect the Iberian Peninsula’s biodiversity. Ideal for nature enthusiasts, birders, and conservationists looking to stay connected with Spain’s wildlife.

Roe Deer and Wolves: A Shifting Ecological Balance in Guadarrama National Park

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Roe deer – Capreolus capreolus – Corzo

The roe deer holds a special place in the Guadarrama National Park, not only for its beauty but also because it serves as a valuable indicator of human activities within the area. It is a living testament to the history of Guadarrama itself. There have been traces of this species dating back to the Middle and Upper Pleistocene in Pinilla del Valle, showcasing its presence in this region even during crucial Pleistocene refuges in the Sierra, which played a pivotal role in the species’ recovery after glacial periods.

Roe deer historically in the Sierra de Guadarrama

During the 17th century, roe deer populations across Europe suffered a significant decline due to deforestation, livestock farming, and intensive hunting. In the early 19th century, Graells was still hunting them throughout the Sierra de Guadarrama. (Mariano de la Paz Graells, a Spanish naturalist and biologist who lived during the 19th century. He was known for his contributions to the field of natural history and was involved in the study of various aspects of Spain’s flora and fauna during his time.)

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Controversy Surrounding the Release of white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Asturias

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Reintroduction to Spain of the extinct white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla)

Controversy has ignited (yet again) over the reintroduction of white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in the Asturias region, with conflicting views on their impact. Concerns have been raised by ecologists about the potential threat these “superpredator” eagles pose to local wildlife. A recent incident involving an encounter between a bearded vulture and a released “pigargo”, shared … Read more

Female Iberian Lynx’s Historic Settlement in Cabañeros National Park

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Iberian lynx Mammals of Spain - Reintroducion of Iberian lynx. Wildlife, natural parks and culture in Spain

A female Iberian lynx named “Sibila” has chosen to call Cabañeros National Park home since last May. This makes her the first to inhabit this protected area in the province of Ciudad Real.

The director of Cabañeros National Park, Ángel Gómez Manzaneque, explained that their efforts to establish a stable population of Iberian lynx over the years are starting to show promising results.

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Reviving Rivers: The Remarkable Return of European Beavers to the Iberian Peninsula

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Reviving Rivers: The Remarkable Return of Eurasian Beavers to the Iberian Peninsula

European beavers – Castor fiber – El castor europeo, have a fascinating history in the Iberian Peninsula, where the species was documented until the late 16th century before becoming extinct due to over hunting and persecution for its meat and fur.

In 2003, unauthorized beaver reintroductions occurred in the Ebro river basin in Spain. These beavers, protected since 2011, have since expanded into new areas, including the Douro and Tagus basins. Recently, there have been sightings of beavers in the Tormes river, near the Portuguese border, suggesting a potential return to Portugal after extinction in the Middle Ages.

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