A recent survey studying the impact of Iberian wild boar in the Tablas de Daimiel National Park has come to the conclusion that the population causes a serious threat to the ecosystem and threatens the reproductive success of aquatic birdlife in the area.
The Complutense University of Madrid and scientists from the Research Institute of Hunting Resources (IREC) has published the study in the journal Ecological Indicators, points out that the increase in wild boar that is taking place in almost 80% of the wetlands in Castilla la Mancha also affects adversely the population of the wild rabbit, which is a key prey food species for many threatened top level predators
The research has shown that the wild boar, thanks to its characteristics as an omnivorous, prolific and highly adaptable mammal, is expanding in the twenty-six wetlands analyzed, especially in the Tablas de Daimiel National Park, where its impact is reaching “ unsustainable levels”, warn the authors adding “The protection of certain environments and especially the absence of hunting favor the proliferation of wild boar, which has a cascading effect on the entire ecosystem.
The study is published here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X21002284
Read more about The Iberian Wild boar Here: https://wildsideholidays.co.uk/iberian-wild-boar-sus-scofra-jabali/
Join in on the discussion at the Iberia Nature Forum: https://iberianatureforum.com/forums/topic/wild-boar-damaging-wetland-ecosystems/
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.