Category Archives: Wildlife

Iberian Lynx, Mammals of Spain, Spain Wildlife News and Updates, Wildlife

Iberian lynx in Murcia

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Recently, three Iberian lynx specimens – Tiko, Torrealvilla, and Tahúlla – were introduced to the region of Murcia as part of the Life Lynxconnect project. This initiative aims to connect existing lynx populations in Spain and create new centers for this endangered species. The regional government of Murcia invested 400,000 euros in this project, which has been in development for years.

Iberian Lynx in Murcia
According to the president of the Community, Fernando López Miras, “the return of the Iberian lynx to the Region of Murcia is the result of intense work for years within the Life project to recover the populations of this species.”
Acclimatization Phase

The lynx specimens are currently in acclimatization enclosures located in the area surrounding the Puentes reservoir in Lorca. These enclosures were specially designed to prepare the animals for eventual release. The lynx will stay in the enclosures until April, after which they will be released into the high districts of Lorca. The enclosures include a hectare of land, a pond, trellises, and small spaces for animal shelter. Rabbits both inside and outside the enclosure provide supplementary feeding.

Definitive Release

After the acclimatization phase, the lynx specimens will be released into the high districts of Lorca, and their movement will be tracked by a GPS monitoring system. The project members will evaluate any possible risks and take necessary actions to ensure the initiative’s success.

Environmental Legacy

The regional government of Murcia is committed to leaving an environmental legacy for future generations. According to Fernando López Miras, the president of the Community, “the return of the Iberian lynx to the Region of Murcia is the result of years of intense work within the Life project to recover the populations of this species.” The government hopes that this initiative will succeed and contribute to the conservation of the Iberian lynx.

The Life Lynxconnect Project: Conservation of the Iberian Lynx

The Life Lynxconnect project is the fourth initiative approved by the European Commission for the conservation of the Iberian lynx. Its aim is to create a genetically and demographically functional Iberian lynx metapopulation from 2020 to 2025. The success of the Life Iberlince project led to the Region of Murcia joining the task of recovering the lynx on the Iberian Peninsula.

Collaborators

The Life Lynxconnect initiative involves the Spanish and Portuguese administrations, along with four autonomous communities – Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, and the Region of Murcia – and environmental NGOs such as Adenex, WWF-Spain, and the CBD-Habitat Foundation. Representatives from the hunting sector, the Artemisam Foundation, private companies like Fotex and Fomecam Terra, and scientific support from the Higher Council for Scientific Research – Doñana Biological Station are also involved.

Budget

The total budget for the Lynxconnect project is 18,754,029 euros, with 60.67 percent contributed by the Life program, a financial instrument of the European Union. The remaining amount is provided by associated and coordinating beneficiaries. At the regional level, one million euros were allocated, with 400,000 euros invested by the regional government.

Conclusion

The Life Lynxconnect project is an ambitious initiative aimed at preserving the Iberian lynx population. With the support of various organizations and a significant budget, the project aims to create a sustainable and functional metapopulation that will help ensure the survival of this endangered species.

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Iberia Nature Forum

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Bats, Mammals of Spain, Wildlife

Barbastella barbastellus – Barbastelle – barbastela or murciélago de bosque

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Barbastella barbastellus – Barbastelle – barbastela or murciélago de bosque is a medium-sized bat found in forests and wooded areas throughout Europe and parts of Asia. In Spain, this species is commonly known as “murciélago de bosque”. It is listed as “Vulnerable” in the Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species.

These bats play an important role in their ecosystem as insectivores, helping to control populations of insects such as moths and beetles. However, their habitat is threatened by deforestation and forest fragmentation, making conservation efforts crucial to the survival of the species in Spain. The Barbastelle is protected under national law in Spain, highlighting the country’s commitment to conserving its biodiversity.

(Top image by Adriá López Baucells https://www.adriabaucells.com/)

Physical Characteristics

The Barbastelle, also known as Barbastella barbastellus or the forest bat, is a medium-sized bat with distinctive physical characteristics. They have a wingspan of around 25-29 centimeters (10-11 inches) and weigh between 5-12 grams (0.2-0.4 ounces). Barbastelles have dark brown fur, which is longer on the back and paler on the belly. They have a flattened face, short ears, and a distinctive nose-leaf that helps with echolocation.

Habitat and Behavior

Barbastelles are found in forests and wooded areas throughout Europe and parts of Asia. They are slow fliers and are known for their ability to maneuver through dense vegetation. Barbastelles are nocturnal and roost in small groups in tree cavities, cracks in rocks, and buildings during the day. They are not migratory and typically remain in one area throughout the year.

Diet

Barbastelles are insectivores, feeding on a variety of prey including moths, beetles, and flies. They use echolocation to locate their prey, emitting high-pitched calls that bounce off objects and provide them with information about their surroundings.

Reproduction

Female Barbastelles typically give birth to a single offspring each year, after a gestation period of around 60 days. The young are born blind and hairless and are nursed for several weeks before they are able to fly and hunt on their own.

Conservation Status

The Barbastelle is classified as “Near Threatened” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They are threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation due to forest management practices and urbanization. Additionally, the use of pesticides and other chemicals can impact their insect prey, reducing the availability of food.

Barbastella barbastellus – Barbastelle – barbastela or murciélago de bosque – Status in Spain

In Spain, the Barbastelle is protected under national law and is listed as “Vulnerable” in the Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species. They are found throughout the country, particularly in mountainous areas and forests. However, they are threatened by habitat loss due to deforestation and the fragmentation of forests.

Further reading
Bat Monitoring

Bat monitoring involves the observation and recording of bat populations in order to better understand their behavior, distribution, and population trends. This can be done through various methods, such as visual surveys, acoustic monitoring, and mist netting. Acoustic monitoring, in particular, is a commonly used technique that involves recording the echolocation calls of bats to identify species and estimate population numbers. Bat monitoring is important for conservation efforts, as it allows researchers to assess the health and status of bat populations, identify threats to their survival, and develop strategies for their protection.

Check out the fantastic website and get involved with Bat Monitoring: https://www.ratpenats.org/en/species/barbastella-barbastellus/ This initiative includes 4 different protocols: the ChiroRivers, the ChiroHabitats, the ChiroBoxes and the ChiroRoosts. Each one of them has been specifically designed for monitoring a certain group of bat species, either forest-dwelling, cave-dwelling or urban-dwelling species. The combination of all 4 monitoring programmes provides a complete image of the health status of all bat species populations.

If you find a bat at home, in a cave, church or grounded, or you identify it through your acoustic detectors, do not hesitate to send the record! https://www.ratpenats.org/en/sightings/

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Iberia Nature Forum

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Marine mammals, Wildlife

Short-finned pilot whale – Globicephala macrorhynchus – Calderón tropical

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The Short-finned pilot whale – Globicephala macrorhynchus – Calderón tropical is a large, deep-diving whale found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world. With their distinctive black or dark gray coloration, rounded forehead, and prominent dorsal fin, these highly social animals are known for traveling in groups of 10 to over 100 individuals and are capable of diving to depths of up to 600 meters in search of their prey. While their conservation status is currently classified as “Data Deficient,” the Short-finned pilot whale is protected under national law in Spain

Top image: https://whalewatchingazores.com/en/

Whale and dolphin watching in Spain
Physical Characteristics

The Short-finned pilot whale, also known as the tropical pilot whale or Calderón tropical, is a member of the dolphin family, Delphinidae. They are large, robust whales with a rounded forehead, a prominent dorsal fin, and short, stocky flippers. The body coloration is mostly black or dark gray, with a lighter patch on the belly and throat. Adult males can reach lengths of up to 6.5 meters (21 feet) and weigh up to 3,000 kilograms (6,600 pounds), while adult females are slightly smaller, reaching lengths of up to 5.5 meters (18 feet) and weighing up to 1,500 kilograms (3,300 pounds).

Habitat and Behavior

Short-finned pilot whales are found in tropical and subtropical waters around the world, including the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. They are highly social animals, traveling in groups of 10 to over 100 individuals, and often remain in their natal groups for life. They are deep divers, capable of reaching depths of up to 600 meters (1,970 feet) in search of squid and fish. Pilot whales are known for their mass stranding behavior, where large groups of animals will beach themselves together, often resulting in the death of many individuals.

Diet

Short-finned pilot whales are opportunistic feeders, consuming a variety of prey including squid, octopus, fish, and crustaceans. They are known to dive to great depths to catch their prey, using echolocation to locate their food.

Reproduction

Female Short-finned pilot whales have a gestation period of approximately 15 months and typically give birth to a single calf every 3 to 5 years. Calves are born weighing around 60-80 kg (130-180 pounds) and are nursed for up to two years.

Conservation Status

The Short-finned pilot whale is classified as “Data Deficient” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). While there is evidence of population declines in some areas, the lack of information on population sizes and trends makes it difficult to assess their conservation status.

The Short-finned pilot whale – Globicephala macrorhynchus – Calderón tropical status in Spain

In Spain, the Short-finned pilot whale is protected under national law and is listed as “Vulnerable” in the Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species. They are known to occur in Spanish waters, particularly around the Canary Islands and the Gulf of Cadiz.

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Mammals of Spain, Wildlife

Roe deer – Capreolus capreolus – Corzo

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The Roe deer – Capreolus capreolus – Corzo is a small to medium-sized deer that is native to Europe, western Asia, and parts of northern Africa. They are one of the most widespread deer species in Europe, and are also found in the Caucasus region and some parts of Asia.

Physical characteristics

The Roe deer has a reddish-brown coat with a distinctive white rump patch and a small, black nose. They have slender bodies and long, spindly legs, which are adapted for running and jumping. Roe deer are typically around 60-75 cm tall at the shoulder, and males (bucks) can weigh up to 35 kg, while females (does) are usually around 25 kg.

Habitat and behavior

Roe deer are primarily found in woodland areas, although they can also be found in grasslands and other open habitats. They are active during the day and the night, but are most active during dawn and dusk. Roe deer are generally solitary animals, although they may form small groups during the winter months.

Diet

Roe deer are herbivores, and their diet consists mainly of leaves, shoots, and buds from a variety of trees and shrubs. In the winter, when food is scarce, they may also feed on bark, and they have been known to occasionally eat agricultural crops.

Reproduction

Roe deer mate in late July and early August, with the females giving birth to one or two fawns the following May or June. The fawns are born with a spotted coat, which helps them blend in with their surroundings.

Conservation status

The Roe deer is listed as a species of “least concern” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), as it has a large and stable population throughout much of its range. However, in some areas, they are hunted for their meat and hides, and in some places, habitat loss and fragmentation have caused local declines in population.

Roe deer – Capreolus capreolus – Corzo in Spain

in Spanish, the Roe deer is called “Corzo”. Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) are native to Europe and have been present in the Iberian Peninsula, which includes modern-day Spain and Portugal, since the end of the last Ice Age. So, Roe deer are not introduced to Spain, they are native to the region.

In fact, the Roe deer is one of the most common and widespread species of deer in Spain, and has played an important role in Spanish culture and folklore for centuries. They have been depicted in art, literature, and even in the coats of arms of some Spanish towns and regions. Roe deer are an important part of the country’s natural heritage, and are valued both for their ecological role and for their cultural significance.

Roe deer – Capreolus capreolus – Corzo
Distribution map for the Roe deer – Capreolus capreolus – Corzo in Spain

The preferred habitat of Roe deer in Spain is typically woodland areas, especially mixed deciduous forests. However, they can also be found in more open habitats such as grasslands and heathlands, as well as in agricultural areas. The availability of suitable habitat, including adequate cover and food sources, is important for the survival and population growth of Roe deer in Spain.

Hunting of Roe deer is also a popular activity in many areas of Spain, both for sport and for population management purposes.

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Wildside Holidays – Spain

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Iberia Nature Forum

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