Lorraine Williamson
Spain’s wild rabbit population has declined by more than half since 2012, according to new data from the LIFE Iberconejo project. The figures reveal a 60% drop in numbers across forested and mountainous regions, raising concerns about ecological stability.
While some agricultural areas show smaller declines or even increases, the national trend points to widespread population loss. Researchers say this is the first time the species’ status has been mapped so comprehensively.
Forests and mosaic landscapes most affected
The most severe decline has occurred in habitats once rich in vegetation variety, such as mosaic landscapes. These include combinations of farmland, scrubland, open grass, and forest edges—areas that previously supported high rabbit densities.
But monoculture farming, rural depopulation, and urban development are rapidly replacing these diverse ecosystems. As these habitats vanish, wild rabbits are left with fewer places to feed and hide from predators.
Agricultural areas show mixed results
In contrast, some lowland agricultural regions report stable or growing rabbit populations. This is largely due to the availability of crops like cereals, regular irrigation, and a notable reduction in natural predators.
However, this growth has caused problems for farmers. In areas such as Aragón and Madrid, rabbit overpopulation is now damaging crops across as many as 800,000 hectares of farmland.
Hybrid rabbits threaten agriculture
A keystone species under pressure
Though often considered pests by some, wild rabbits are a crucial part of the food chain. They are the main prey for more than 30 species, including the endangered Iberian lynx and the Spanish imperial eagle.
A collapse in rabbit populations affects these top predators and could accelerate their decline. In regions such as Sierra Morena and parts of Extremadura, where rabbits were once abundant, numbers are now critically low.
Coordinated response through new committee
To tackle the crisis, conservation groups have called for a region-specific approach. The LIFE Iberconejo initiative is now using precise geographical data to identify hotspots for both decline and overpopulation.
In response, the European Rabbit Iberian Coordination Committee (ERICC) has been launched. From 2025, this body will work with organisations including WWF, farmers’ unions, and hunting associations to manage rabbit numbers.
Technology and citizen data to support action
A new mobile app is also playing a central role. More than 300 rangers, farmers, and volunteers are using it to collect real-time information on rabbit populations and health. This data feeds directly into regional strategies for conservation or control.
Wider biodiversity concerns across the countryside
The situation is not limited to rabbits. Other species—such as the house sparrow and the skylark—are also vanishing from Spain’s rural areas. Experts say this points to a broader decline in biodiversity driven by intensive agriculture and climate change.
An early warning for Spain’s natural systems
The dramatic fall in rabbit populations is not an isolated case. It reflects deeper environmental changes. As traditional landscapes disappear, so too does the balance that sustains much of Spain’s native wildlife.
Without targeted intervention, more species could follow. Conservationists stress that restoring habitat diversity and rebalancing ecosystems must become national priorities.