Date of publication 26/03/2024
Endangered animals in Spain
Learn about endangered animals in Spain and join in on sustainable tourism.
Endangered animals in Spain include species of all kinds. Spanish wildlife, much like wildlife around the rest of the world, is threatened by global warming, the deterioration of ecosystems, and illegal capture. The good news is that this situation can be reversed with the help of concrete plans and a high level of awareness. But which animals are endangered in Spain? According to 2023 estimates from the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species, a total of 78 mammals, 42 fish, 28 amphibians, 68 reptiles, and 303 birds find themselves in a critical or vulnerable situation, or otherwise under a special protection regime. Beyond the numbers, these are sensitive lives. Below, we share the stories of some of these unique beings. You will discover that their existence is not so far removed from your own.
Endangered mammals in Spain
Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)
The Iberian lynx is one of the endangered vertebrate animals in Spain that inhabit mountainous ecosystems in Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castilla-La Mancha, such as the Montes de Toledo and Sierra Morena, as well as southern Portugal. It is a medium-sized feline, with an average weight of 10 kilos for females and 13 for males. Upon observing its spotted figure and adorable face, complete with perked ears and a noble gaze, it is easy to empathize with it. The hunting of rabbits—its main food source—coupled with being run over by vehicles and the poaching of the Iberian lynx itself, has driven it to endangerment.
After its population dwindled to a critical low of 94 individuals in 2002, conservation efforts by WWF (World Wildlife Fund) and other organizations led to a recorded number of 1,668 in 2023. And although it remains endangered according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List, it is expected to recover. Taking care of its habitat helps. As a traveler, you can practice sustainable tourism by staying at Iberostar hotels in Spain.
Brown bear (Ursus arctos)
The situation of the brown bear, one of the longest-lived endangered vertebrate animals in Spain, is critical. The population in 2023 did not reach 400 individuals, cornered by deforestation in the Pyrenees, the Cantabrian Mountains, and some areas of Galicia and Asturias. Natural forests, which are their home, suffer due to logging and changes generated by the climate crisis. Furthermore, the brown bear is also a victim of illegal capture. Contrary to popular belief, it is a calm and peaceful creature that only attacks in self-defense if it feels threatened, protective of its cubs and curious about everything around it. That said, its majestic presence is impressive: it can weigh up to 600 kilos and measure up to 2.95 meters tall when standing on its hind legs, depending on the subspecies.European mink (Mustela lutreola)
Another animal facing the threat of extinction in Spain is the European mink: it is estimated that fewer than 500 remain. Their decline is attributed to the population growth of the American mink, a species considered invasive in Europe and its direct ecological competitor (introduced by humans to be exploited for their fur in illegal farms). Poaching of the European mink itself has also contributed. Water shortages in summer in Mediterranean rivers like the Ebro put their habitat at risk, as they thrive in aquatic environments with vegetation such as rivers, riverbanks, streams, swamps, coastal areas, and marshes. The minks' diet includes amphibians, reptiles, fish, crustaceans, micromammals, and birds. You will distinguish this friendly and solitary mustelid by its long, silky tail, as well as its brown color with a flat snout bordered in white.Pitian lizard (Podarcis pityusensis)
What animals are endangered in Spain within the Balearic territory? Surely you have heard of the Pitian lizard or Ibiza "sargantana." It is threatened by the increasing number of snakes classified as invasive, which are its natural predators. If you wonder how the snakes arrived in the insular territory, the answer lies in human intervention: they entered the delicate island ecosystem inside the trunks of imported olive trees (where they nest and hibernate) intended for decoration. The appearance of the lizards varies, although their small scaled bodies are tinged with shades of blue, yellow, and green that recall the landscape.Endangered marine animals in Spain
Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus)
Water pollution, which leads to the deterioration of coastal health and coral reefs, as well as industrial fishing, have caused a considerable increase in the number of endangered marine animals in Spain and also in other countries. Such is the case, for example, of these species in Mexico. It is estimated that barely around 700 monk seals remain in Europe. Homer wrote about them in The Odyssey, when they populated the entire Mediterranean and North African Atlantic, reaching as far as Cape Verde, Madeira, and the Canary Islands. Today, their presence is much smaller, as they are critically endangered.These carnivorous creatures need beaches, cliffs, and caves to survive. Sea caves serve as a refuge for reproduction and breeding. Females have their first offspring around the age of three. With an innate curiosity for the world around them, they are characterized by their sociability and interest in play. Their fur has a dark color between gray and white—though they are usually born with a white patch on the belly which they lose as they grow. They can weigh between 300 and 340 kilos.
European pond turtle (Emys orbicularis)
The European pond turtle is a type of aquatic turtle that can still be spotted in certain parts of the Mediterranean basin and on islands like the Balearics. Habitat loss caused by global warming and illegal hunting are among the causes of its decline. In Spain, captive breeding plans have been established to protect this species during its most fragile stage and subsequently return it to the ecosystem. Its length generally does not exceed 170 millimeters in adulthood. It features a shell with yellow spots, a color that also appears in small lines on its head and legs. It feeds on invertebrates and amphibians, small-sized fish, and, in some cases, plant matter. Because it is cold-blooded, it needs to sunbathe on the beach to regulate its temperature. When you travel, try to do everything in your power to care for Mediterranean environments like Playa de Muro in Mallorca, which are essential for the survival of many marine beings and endangered animals in Spain.Blind crab (Munidopsis polymorpha)
The blind crab or Jameos blind crab is one of the endangered marine animals in Spain that you can run into during a vacation in Lanzarote. This endemic species, a symbol of the island, has a tiny body (measuring between two and three centimeters) and lives exclusively in the Jameos del Agua of the Cueva de los Verdes. That is where the natural space and cultural center of the same name, created by Canarian artist César Manrique, is located. The blind crab is albino and (nearly) blind, but its sense of hearing is highly developed. It is affected by water pollution and even the slightest disturbance in sound and light.Therefore, if you visit its home, always do so respectfully and without interfering with its routines. From the Iberostar Selection Lanzarote Park hotel, also designed by César Manrique, you will have the option to travel to some of the impressive Lanzarote natural pools to continue discovering the fauna of the Canary Islands in a responsible manner.
