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.

Doñana To Return to the IUCN Green List

March 27, 2025 by clive

The Doñana National and Natural Parks occupy the northern area of the Guadalquivir river where it meets the Atlantic Ocean

Doñana Expected to Rejoin the Green List Before Summer

The Andalusian regional government anticipates that Doñana National Park will be reinstated on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Green List before the summer. The park was removed from this prestigious international catalogue due to conservation concerns, pending a reassessment that has been ongoing for over a year.

clive

Clive Muir – Wildside Holidays – Walking, wildlife and culture holidays in Spain

I’ve been living in western Andalucía for more than 20 years and spend much of my time researching and running English-language travel websites about Spain. My work covers destinations including Cádiz, Ronda, Grazalema and the Caminito del Rey, as well as Wildside Holidays, which focuses on walking, wildlife and nature travel in Spain.

Through Wildside Holidays, I share practical information about Spain’s natural parks, mountains, wildlife and walking destinations, drawing on many years of living and travelling in the country. The aim is to help visitors discover Spain’s natural landscapes responsibly and plan rewarding walking and wildlife experiences.

Conservation Project Aims to Restore Odiel Marshes

March 12, 2025 by clive

A relatively small protected area situated at the mouth of the river Odiel, between the towns of Huelva, Gibraleón, Aljaraque and Punta Umbría, the Marismas de Odiel Biosphere Reserve is an important wetland for both resident and migratory birdlife.

The Odiel Marshes in Huelva, Andalucia. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and one of Andalusia’s most ecologically valuable areas, is undergoing a significant environmental restoration. A new conservation and prevention project, backed by the Andalusian Ministry of Sustainability and Environment, has been launched to tackle pollution and habitat degradation. The initiative, with a budget of over €728,000, is part of the EU-funded NextGenerationEU Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.

clive

Clive Muir – Wildside Holidays – Walking, wildlife and culture holidays in Spain

Why Spain’s Iberian Lynx Rewilding Success Is Now Under Threat

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 by clive

To date, 238 specimens of Iberian lynx have been born in the breeding centres of El Acebuche and Zarza de Granadilla with 150 released in different areas of the Iberian Peninsula.

Introduction: The Iberian Lynx Recovery at Risk

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) was once the world’s most endangered wild cat, reduced to fewer than 100 individuals in the early 2000s. Thanks to over two decades of conservation work, including habitat restoration and captive breeding, the population has grown to more than 2,000 across Spain and Portugal.

Listen to the podcast about “Why Spain’s Iberian Lynx Rewilding Success Is Now Under Threat”

However, this remarkable recovery is now under threat. Farmers and hunting groups are pressuring regional governments to block further lynx reintroductions, risking decades of progress.

Why Are Farmers and Hunters Opposing the Iberian Lynx?

clive

Clive Muir – Wildside Holidays – Walking, wildlife and culture holidays in Spain

Lost Heritage: Cochineal and the Endangered Prickly Pear in Spain

February 5, 2026January 28, 2025 by clive

In recent years, the uncontrolled spread of the Cochineal, Dactylopius coccus (Cochinilla del Carmin) has led to the near disappearance of the prickly pear (higo chumbo) in Spain. So lets explore our lost heritage: cochineal and the endangered prickly pear in Spain

Historical Significance

The introduced prickly pear (Opuntia maxima), originating from Central America, has played a vital role for centuries. It served various purposes, including being a source of food (prickly pears, higo chumbos), livestock feed, agricultural support, slope stabilization, and hedges.

clive

Clive Muir – Wildside Holidays – Walking, wildlife and culture holidays in Spain

Doñana Expected to Rejoin the Green List Before Summer

Introduction: The Iberian Lynx Recovery at Risk

Listen to the podcast about “Why Spain’s Iberian Lynx Rewilding Success Is Now Under Threat”

Why Are Farmers and Hunters Opposing the Iberian Lynx?

Historical Significance

The Caminito del Rey