Wildlife

Wildlife in Spain is incredibly diverse, from Iberian lynx and brown bears to flamingos and eagles. Spain’s varied landscapes, including mountains, wetlands, and forests, provide habitats for many unique species. Observing wildlife offers a chance to connect with nature and learn about conservation efforts.

Wind Farms Pose Grave Threat to Bat Populations Study Finds

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Wind Farms in Cádiz Pose Grave Threat to Bat Populations Study Finds

A recent study conducted by the Doñana Biological Station (EBD) in collaboration with the University of Lund (Sweden) and the University of Seville, and published in the specialized journal Acta Chiropterologica, has unveiled the alarming impact of wind farms on bat populations in Cádiz, Spain. This research, led by the EBD-CSIC, a branch of the … Read more

Griffon Vulture M68: Crossed the Strait, Rescued at Sea, and Returns to Spain

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griffon-vulture

At just one year old, a griffon vulture named “M68” has embarked on an incredible journey filled with perilous twists and turns, ultimately leading it back to its homeland in Spain. This remarkable bird’s odyssey includes being plucked from the high seas by Moroccan fishermen, a pit stop at the Jbel Moussa vulture recovery center, … Read more

Cantabrian Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) Oso Pardo Cantábrico

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Cantabrian brown bears have developed a slightly different genetic identity to other brown bears, although not as different as was once believed.

Special thanks for help with this original article about the Cantabrian Brown Bear go to Lisa Stuart who, together with Mike, runs a wonderful guesthouse in the Picos de Europa national park. They also organise outdoor activities and adventures in this stunning part of Spain

Ask Lisa about finding bears in the Picos de Europa.

Listed in the Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species (Catálogo Nacional de Especies Amenazadas) as being in danger of extinction, the Cantabrian brown bear’s existence in Spain is not widely known.

The Somiedo Experience
Somiedo Experience

The Somiedo Experience can help you to find and photograph the Cantabrian brown bear. Find out more here: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/somiedo-experience/

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Debate Ensues Over the Best Methodology for Cantabrian Bear Census as Genetic Analysis Sparks Controversy

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Somiedo Experience

In the lush wilderness of the Cantabrian Mountains, an ongoing debate is stirring within the conservation community regarding the most accurate methodology for assessing the population of Cantabrian bears, an iconic and endangered species native to northern Spain.

For decades, the traditional method of estimating the bear population relied on an annual census of bears with cubs. However, recent shifts in policy by several regional governments are advocating for an exclusive reliance on genetic analysis for this purpose.

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