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Story 03 Feb, 2025

IUCN promotes a transboundary conservation plan for the Iberian desman

Malaga, 28 January 2025 (IUCN) - More than 50 experts from Andorra, Spain, France and Portugal met in Madrid for three days to develop a transnational conservation plan and define more urgent measures to prevent the extinction of this unique freshwater species. 

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Photo: Cabrera Latorre, Ángel, 1879-1960

The Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Med) aims, through this meeting, to reach agreement with experts from the scientific and public management fields on a series of urgent actions and measures to ensure the survival of this species, promoting cooperation, especially at a transboundary level, and the coordination of other existing plans.  

The Iberian desman (Galemys pyrenaicus) is a small semi-aquatic mammal, exclusive to the northern half of the Iberian Peninsula, and is classified as “Endangered” according to the Red List of Threatened Species™ of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at a global level. In the diagnoses carried out in Spain in 2010 and 2021, it has been found that the process of regression of its populations has been continuous over the last 30 years, with an estimated 87% loss of the known area of distribution in the 1990s. The Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has a conservation strategy for this species and has it listed as Critically Endangered at the national level.

 

Picture of the Desman Worskhop: groups sitting around round tables whilst speaker presents slides on the Iberian Desman

 

Although countries are making conservation efforts and have developed action plans at the national and regional levels, coordination at the transnational level is key to ensure the conservation of the desman throughout its global range,” says Catherine Numa, coordinator of the Biodiversity Knowledge and Action programme at IUCN Med. 

The aim of this workshop, organised with the support of MITECO, in collaboration with relevant national authorities and key stakeholders from the four countries, is to elaborate a transboundary strategy that also integrates the principles of the IUCN Species Survival Commission's (SSC) Conservation Planning Specialist Group (CPSG). Expected outcomes include the development of a transboundary strategic vision to guide conservation actions for the species. In addition, a detailed prioritisation and zoning analysis of specific threats will be carried out for each identified population cluster. As a fundamental part of the process, clear objectives, concrete actions and key actors involved in the implementation of the transboundary strategy will be defined. Finally, a transboundary committee will be formalised with a multidisciplinary approach to facilitate the coordination and monitoring of conservation activities, whose main role will be the prioritisation, promotion and coordination of conservation actions for the species throughout its range.

Spain plays a key role in coordinating transboundary efforts to ensure the conservation of the Iberian desman, working together with our international partners to protect this unique species and its habitat,Ricardo Gomez Calmaestra, head of the wildlife service of MITECO. 

 

Group photo of the participants of the Iberian Desman workshop held in Madrid

 

Urgent measures 

Among the proposed actions, urgent population reinforcement measures will be considered through the translocation of specimens, especially in areas where populations are Critically Endangered. The identification of key areas for the conservation of the species will also be considered, as well as long-term financing tools, either through public administrations or through private companies in order to urgently address the actions. 

 

More information: 

IUCN - Iberian Desman (Galemys pyrenaicus): Conservation Status Review