Information

SITUATION IN SPAIN

In the Iberian Peninsula a total of 60,000 species have been described and a total of 55 species of animals and 1,221 species of plants are threatened in Spain.

We know that extinction is a way of evolution and that sometimes has occurred naturally and necessary, but in recent years there have been many causes outside this.

CAUSES

• Destruction of habitat (logging, drought of rivers, exploitation of areas)
• Overexploitation of seas
• Poaching
• Contamination
• Incorporation of foreign animals that kill the native species of the country
• Species trafficking
• Natural causes (floods, droughts, fires, climate change ...)

ENDANGERED ANIMALS

Imperial Iberian eagle

It is a bird of prey two meters high. In Spain there are 250 couples and live in areas of central and southwestern Spain.

The causes of disappearance are the alteration of the Mediterranean mountain, scarcity of rabbits and the hunting.

Grizzly

It is the largest of our terrestrial mammals. We found a dozen bears in the Pyrenees and a stable population in the Cantabrian mountain range (130 specimens). The causes of its disappearance are the destruction of the habitat (ski slopes, freeways) and the poisoning.

Iberian lynx

It is the most threatened feline of the planet that only lives in freedom in a pair of localities of the peninsula: Doñana and Sierra Morena. There are about 250 copies left. The causes are the destruction of habitat, hunting and abuse due to the development of roads in sensitive places.

Osprey

It is distributed throughout the Pyrenees. The estimated population is 405 specimens.

The causes of their extinction are electrocution in electric lines, illegal hunting, poisoning and the reduction of their habitat.

Iberian wolf

It is located in the Douro and Sierra Morena. El Duero houses a minimum of 2000 wolves and the population of Sierra Morena is in critical danger of extinction. The causes are hunting, habitat reduction and livestock poisoning.

Many of the problems of the disappearance of these animals are associated with causes caused by the human being. It is in our hands to turn the reality and preserve these species.

EXERCISES

Now test your knowledge about endangered animals in Spain through the activities "FILL THE GAP" and "CROSSWORD".