Iberian Wolf Hunting Regulations in Spain: Spain Lifts Wolf Hunting Ban North of the Duero

by
The best place to see wolves in Spain is in the rolling hills of the Sierra de la Culebra.

The management of Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) populations in Spain has always been a subject of ongoing debate, balancing conservation efforts with the interests of livestock farmers. Recent legislative changes have further complicated this issue, particularly concerning hunting regulations north and south of the Duero River.

Read more about the Iberian wolf here.

Historical Context of Wolf Hunting in Spain

Historically, the Iberian wolf has faced significant persecution, leading to its eradication in several regions. By the mid-20th century, bounties were placed on wolves, drastically reducing their numbers. However, small populations survived, primarily in northwestern Spain and northern Portugal.

Wildmoral wolf tours
Iberian Wolf Hunting Regulations in Spain. In 2021, Spain granted Iberian wolves north of the Duero River protected status, expanding a pre-existing hunting prohibition in the south. This move was met with strong opposition from farmers, who warned it would result in increased attacks on livestock.

Read more

Doñana To Return to the IUCN Green List

by
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.

Read more

Iberian Wolf (Canis lupus signatus) Lobo Ibérico

by
The best place to see wolves in Spain is in the rolling hills of the Sierra de la Culebra.
  • Spanish: Lobo
  • Catalan: Llop

The Iberian wolf, Canis Lupus, has suffered much persecution over the centuries. Already being eradicated from many countries and, despite a bounty on every head of a wolf during the 1950’s and 60’s. Some small populations of these mammals survived and now receive a partial protection especially when they reside in protected (natural and national park) areas of Spain. (A hunting ban came into force in 2021)

Recent Legislative Changes: Reversal of the 2021 Hunting Ban

In March 2025, the Spanish parliament passed a law targeting “food production waste”, which included an amendment to lift the 2021 ban on wolf hunting north of the Duero River. This decision allows controlled hunting to resume in regions like Asturias, Cantabria, Galicia, and northern Castilla y León, where most of Spain’s Iberian wolves reside. The amendment was supported by parties such as the People’s Party (PP), Vox, Junts, and the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV). Read more here.

Read about the 2021 hunting ban of the Iberian wolf over at the Iberia Nature Forum: https://iberianatureforum.com/forums/topic/iberian-wolf-hunting-ban/ Feel free to join in with the topics there! 🙂

Iberian wolf populations are mainly in scattered packs in the forests and plains of north-western Spain whilst the north of Portugal also holds small numbers.

The Junta de Andalucia declared the wolf extinct in Andalucia (the Sierra Morena) in 2023. Read more here.

A few details about the Iberian wolf

The Iberian wolf can reach a height of around 70cm and length of 120cm. The animal is different in colour from the Eurasian wolf by having dark markings on its forelegs, back and tail with white markings on its upper lips. This is the reason for the last part of the scientific name, with signatus meaning “marked”. Males weigh around 40kg with females being of a finer / slimmer build.

Read more

Conservation Project Aims to Restore Odiel Marshes

by
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.

Read more

Related Posts
  1. Coolest Places To Stay In London
  2. Unusual Day Trips From London
  3. Things To Do In London On A Budget
  4. London Expensive
  5. Hidden Places In London
  6. London City Trip Planner
  7. Best Shopping In London England
  8. Transport In London
  9. Best London Neighborhoods For Families
  10. First Trip To London