The mountain rabbit and red partridge populations in Spain are disappearing due to human-inflicted factors such as current agricultural practices, toxic waste dumping, construction, forest fires and the use of poisons. This situation is especially critical, as these animals are the main sustenance for other species in danger of extinction, namely the Iberian lynx (photo) and the imperial eagle.

A Laia Natura animal protection team, made up of hunters, ecologists and farmers, is carrying out a study into the reality of these animal species which they believe are suffering “a serious biological imbalance”. Laia Natura also believes regional governments give priority to the release of protected species into the wild without taking their future sustenance, and hence their survival, into consideration.