The Autonomous Community of Andalusia stands out as a leader in the field recovery of wild rabbitsas a participant in the LIFE Iberconejo project, developed by Portuguese and Spanish entities. The CA promotes actions that make it possible to limit the damage that the species can cause in agriculture.
The Junta de Andalucía leads the LIFE Iberconejo project key actions for the recovery of wild rabbit populations and, in parallel, to limit damage to agriculture. The Director General of Forest Policy and Biodiversity, Juan Ramón Pérez Valenzuela, presented at a technical conference in Córdoba entitled ‘Conserving rabbit of the forest: an important challenge for ecosystems agricultural and natural areas of Andalusia’, the measures implemented in this context by the Andalusian Government.
Accompanied by the territorial delegate of Sustainability and Environment in the province, Rafael Martínez, Pérez Valenzuela highlighted the fundamental role of the LIFE project Iberconejoin which Spain and Portugal participate, the main objective of which is to guarantee the balance between the conservation of this endemic species and the protection of agricultural activities affected by population growth in some areas.
“It is essential to find solutions that ensure that the population rabbit to values that take him out of his own dangerous situation and in turn the coexistence of agriculturebecause their presence, although essential for the ecosystem, causes significant losses to farmers at certain times,” he said.
The wild rabbit in danger in the land of rabbits
According to data from the Director-General, 70% of wild rabbit populations have declined in the past decade, leading the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared the species endangered in 2019. In this context, the LIFE Iberconejo project, co-financed by the European Commission, plays a decisive role in preserving the species and preventing conflicts with agriculture.
He rabbit of the mountain (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is a key species in the ecosystems of the Iberian Peninsulabut at the same time it is a significant source of damage in agriculture, especially when the population reaches uncontrolled levels in certain areas.
The project, with a total investment of 2,103,880 euros and a duration of 39 months, until December 2024, involves 15 entities, including the Government of Andalusia through the Directorate General of Forest Policy and Biodiversity.
One of the most relevant actions of the LIFE Iberconejo project that Andalusia has launched is the creation of a governance system that allows efficient management of the wild rabbitthe implementation of good practices in population management and damage prevention.
This inclusive approach has the participation of farmers, hunters, government departments, scientific institutions and conservation organizations, “who are committed to finding sustainable solutions for the long term”, he added.
The Managing Director also emphasized the importance of cross-border cooperation between Spanish and Portuguese entities. “The peninsula is divided common challenges related to wild rabbit managementand cooperation between the two countries is crucial to tackle this problem,” he stressed. Likewise, he emphasized that a system is being developed to monitor populations and their health status, with field tests and the creation of computer applications that will allow more efficient control.
Another notable action is the creation of the Coordination Committee for Iberian Mountain Rabbits (ERICC), which aims to promote communication between interested parties and improve environmental management. Consensus is reached through this committee good practices for both the promotion of rabbits in areas where their population is scarce, as well as for preventing damage in overpopulated areas.
Environmental, social and economic impact of the project
The LIFE Iberconejo project not only has an impact on the conservation of the species, but also contributes to the improvement of ecosystems and the rural economy. The wild rabbit plays a crucial role as an ‘ecosystem engineer’affecting the structure of vegetation, soil and populations of invertebrates and small vertebrates. Furthermore, it is essential prey for many endangered predator species, such as the Iberian lynx and the Iberian imperial eagle.
From an economic point of view, the management of Rabbit populations also have a direct impact on agriculture and for hunting use. Control and prevention measures aim to minimize the economic losses suffered by farmers as a result of the damage caused by this species. “We want to ensure competitive, sustainable and quality agricultural production, which is why we are developing proposals for good practices integrated into the framework of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP),” he added.
The Junta de Andalucía reaffirms its commitment to conservation of wild rabbits and the reduction of agricultural damage, through a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, monitoring and governance. The Managing Director concluded his speech by emphasizing that “rabbit conservation is an environmental, social and economic challenge. Thanks to projects like LIFE Iberconejo, we are laying the foundation for sustainable management that will allow Andalusia to lead this challenge at national and European level.”
It is necessary to restore the wild rabbit for an infinite number of reasons and at the same time seek sustainable solutions so that its presence is beneficial for ecosystems and does not become a problem for farmers.