Tenerife Weekly
  • Home
  • About
  • El Diario
  • Diario de Avisos
  • El Dia
  • Europa Press
  • La Laguna
  • El Digital Sur
  • Atlantico
  • Press Releases
  • Essentials
  • Blog
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • El Diario
  • Diario de Avisos
  • El Dia
  • Europa Press
  • La Laguna
  • El Digital Sur
  • Atlantico
  • Press Releases
  • Essentials
  • Blog
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Tenerife Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home Europa Press

Canary Islands: A Critical Crossroad for Its Endangered Wildlife

February 9, 2025
in Europa Press
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Canary Islands: A Critical Crossroad for Its Endangered Wildlife
3
SHARES
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Santa Cruz de Tenerife 9 Feb. (Europa Press) –

The Canary Islands currently harbour 38 endangered animal species, alongside 36 deemed to be in a “vulnerable” state. These statistics underscore that we are at a “critical” juncture, albeit also a “decisive” one, in addressing the necessary measures for their conservation, as highlighted by Luis Herrera, a professor in the Department of Environmental Biology at the University of Navarra and researcher from La Gomera.

In an interview with Europa Press, Herrera outlines the essential points of his latest book, ‘Fauna de Canarias in danger of extinction’, which provides a thorough examination and “update” of the biodiversity across the islands as well as the fauna species at risk inhabiting the archipelago, including those that have already been lost, amounting to twelve.

Furthermore, the book immerses the reader in the geological, bioclimatic, and ecological frameworks of the Canarian archipelago, presenting a classification of species according to their threat levels. It also assesses the effects of climate change, urban development, and human activities on local wildlife.

The researcher specifically notes some of the endangered species, such as the Canarian guirre or alimoche, whose presence is reportedly limited to a few specimens on the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

According to Herrera, the guirre has vanished from the archipelago due to a decline in grazing. This practice provided food to the carcasses on which this bird, the only “scavenger” in the Canary Islands, relied: “If grazing diminishes, then there is no carrion available for them, and they disappear, as there is no sustenance.”

The expert continues his analysis by providing a general overview of the marine environment, where he takes time to underscore the status of cetacean species inhabiting the islands: while the total number of these species amounts to 30 across the archipelago, 9 are currently facing vulnerability.

Luis Herrera has not overlooked the necessity of addressing the vulnerability of these species through recovery plans and projects, which involve the Government of the Canary Islands, Cabildo de La Gomera, and the City Council of Valle Gran Rey.

Moreover, the professor of the University of Navarra also delves into the “microevolution” experienced by certain species that are critically endangered or in peril of extinction, akin to the Giant Lizard of the Canary Islands, whose diversification across the islands bears similarities to Darwin’s finches in the Galapagos Islands.

The giant tortoises of Tenerife and Gran Canaria

In a historical examination of species that are now extinct, researcher Luis Herrera recalls the giant terrestrial tortoises that once roamed Gran Canaria and Tenerife. In his book, he elaborates on their extinction, noting that it occurred “in a time long past” due to volcanic eruptions on the islands, rather than human impact.

He also mentions another extinct species, the giant rat of Tenerife, believed to have disappeared due to the first settlers of the islands, who likely consumed this wild animal amid food shortages.

“We are still on time”

Despite the concerning state of fauna in the islands, which he regards as “critical” and “decisive”, Herrera believes that “we are still in time” to implement the necessary measures that could “alter the circumstance of these species” in a perilous state. The challenge, in any case, lies in the “political will” surrounding this issue, as he cautions, “there is funding available.”

The scientist highlights the investments accessible from Europe regarding these matters, while also advocating for the imperative of mobilising local resources from the region itself to facilitate agreements with public universities in the Canary Islands to initiate conservation and preservation plans and projects.

Related Posts

Seized a yacht with cocaine about 50 miles south of the Canaries, recovering 25 kilograms of the drug.
Europa Press

Seized a yacht with cocaine about 50 miles south of the Canaries, recovering 25 kilograms of the drug.

July 7, 2025
Clavijo Brands it “Indecent” for Regions Not to Aid Young Migrants; Warns of Potential Prosecutor Involvement
Europa Press

Clavijo Brands it “Indecent” for Regions Not to Aid Young Migrants; Warns of Potential Prosecutor Involvement

June 26, 2025
Torres Shifts Responsibility for Material Purchases to SCS and Assures No Recordings of His Wrongdoing Will Emerge
Europa Press

Torres Shifts Responsibility for Material Purchases to SCS and Assures No Recordings of His Wrongdoing Will Emerge

June 23, 2025
No Result
View All Result

Click Image to Join Community

Tenerife Forum Community

Previous News

The Farmer’s Market will have more stalls and will expand its range of products

The Farmer’s Market will have more stalls and will expand its range of products

2 years ago
CC criticizes the lack of investment of the Canarian Government in Los Cristianos

CC criticizes the lack of investment of the Canarian Government in Los Cristianos

3 years ago
The Most Hazardous Streets in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for Pedestrians

The Most Hazardous Streets in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for Pedestrians

1 year ago
Two Adeje Beaches Reopen After Fecal Bacteria Closure Impacting Bathing Areas

Two Adeje Beaches Reopen After Fecal Bacteria Closure Impacting Bathing Areas

2 months ago
Santa Cruz observes a minute of silence for the woman murdered by her ex-partner

Santa Cruz observes a minute of silence for the woman murdered by her ex-partner

3 years ago
Smart Panels to Display Available Parking Spaces in Santa Cruz

Smart Panels to Display Available Parking Spaces in Santa Cruz

5 months ago
No Result
View All Result

News Highlights

Protest Scheduled for This Saturday Against the Cuna del Alma Mega Tourism Project Moves Venue

The Aemet forecasts the weather in the Canaries this Friday: particular focus on two phenomena

The Municipal Market of La Laguna with Recipes and Dishes for the San Benito Abad Festivities and Pilgrimage: Lagunera Chickpeas for the Magos Dance

Do the Islands Need a Forestry Penny? Fénix Canarias Warns of Critical Forest Situation

11th July: St Benedict, the Young Man Who Encountered God in a Cave

Fepeco and Güímar Explore Solutions for Public Housing

Trending News

A new group calls on the Canary Islands Government and the Tenerife Cabildo to halt Cuna del Alma due to the site’s significant archaeological value.
El Diario

A new group calls on the Canary Islands Government and the Tenerife Cabildo to halt Cuna del Alma due to the site’s significant archaeological value.

by Admin
July 11, 2025
0

The Permanent Tagoror of El Puertito de Adeje, established on 12 June with the aim of “informing...

Belgian Tourists Evacuated by Helicopter Affected by Fatigue and Heat

Belgian Tourists Evacuated by Helicopter Affected by Fatigue and Heat

July 11, 2025
Confirmed Opening: Starbucks Launches a New Store in Tenerife

Confirmed Opening: Starbucks Launches a New Store in Tenerife

July 11, 2025
A new group calls on the Canary Islands Government and the Tenerife Cabildo to halt Cuna del Alma due to the site’s significant archaeological value.

Protest Scheduled for This Saturday Against the Cuna del Alma Mega Tourism Project Moves Venue

July 11, 2025
The Aemet forecasts the weather in the Canaries this Friday: particular focus on two phenomena

The Aemet forecasts the weather in the Canaries this Friday: particular focus on two phenomena

July 11, 2025
Tenerife Weekly

© 2025 Tenerife Weekly

Navigate Site

  • Tenerife Forum
  • Tenerife Travel Shop
  • Ask Tenerife
  • Guide
  • Adobe
  • Linkedin
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
  • El Diario
  • Diario de Avisos
  • El Dia
  • Europa Press
  • La Laguna
  • El Digital Sur
  • Atlantico
  • Press Releases
  • Essentials
  • Blog
  • Contact

© 2025 Tenerife Weekly