Wild horses have returned to a Spanish region after a hiatus dating back to prehistory, according to Mongabay.
Nonprofit Rewilding Spain successfully moved 16 Przewalski's horses from Mongolia to the Iberian Peninsula in 2023. Since then, their number has increased to 35, and they've made tremendous progress in reshaping the local landscape.
A major motivation for the effort is combating wildfires. As the Przewalski's horses hadn't been seen in Iberia in 10,000 years, and domestic cattle operations have closed, few grazing animals have been left in the fields. This has created an overgrowth of grasses that feed wildfires. In 2005, the result of this excessive fuel was a fatal wildfire.
The responsibility for pruning vegetation doesn't lie solely with wild horses. Deer address short grass that the horses don't touch. Rewilding Spain has also reintroduced wild taurus cattle, a relative of the extinct aurochs.
These large animals are able to pare down woody vegetation and disturb soil. In this vein, Rewilding Spain has also reintroduced bison to Portugal.
These species can break up patches of fuel, preventing the spread of wildfires from one area to another and lessening their severity.
TCD Picks » Upway Spotlight
💡Upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% on premium e-bike brands
As an added bonus, the horse herd is proving to be an ecotourism draw. This makes for a much-needed economic boost in a region that has had diminishing opportunities.
The Przewalski's horses roam 57,000 acres in Iberia, but Rewilding Spain hopes to increase that area to 2.1 million acres.
For all the animals' usefulness in keeping ecosystems healthy, herd managers are finding a simpler joy in working with them.
"They are special," Manuel Villa told Mongabay. "For me, every day I go to work is like the first: the same excitement. … I always say, 'God, they are beautiful.' And that's it. Nothing more. I can't say more."
TCD Picks » Stasher Spotlight
💡Stasher's reusable food storage options make it easy and affordable to live life with less plastic
|
Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. |
Definitely 👍 
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
