Iberian desman
The Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is a small semi-aquatic mammal, exclusive to the Iberian Peninsula, which is classified as Endangered according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The Iberian desman is a species endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, distributed from the Pyrenees to the northern half of Portugal and occupies various areas of the northern half of the peninsula, being found in Spain, Portugal, France and Andorra. Historically, it has been present in the main mountain systems in the north of the Peninsula.
The main threat factors identified are the fragmentation and isolation of populations due to the construction of large dams and hydroelectric dams, water pollution, as well as the alteration of riverbanks and natural riparian vegetation. Likewise, the disappearance of local populations may be due to predation by invasive non-native species such as the American mink and the recent expansion of the otter.
IUCN Med has started the participatory process for the development of a transboundary conservation strategy which will span across the four countries covered by the desman's range (Spain, France, Andorra y Portugal).
Find all the resources related to the work IUCN Med is doing to conserve the Iberian Desman here.
Relevant links:
- National action plans 2021-2030 of the French Ministry of Ecological Transition in favour of the Pyrenean Desman (FR)
- Strategy for the Conservation of the Pyrenean Desman in Spain. Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (ES)
IUCN Resources:
