The LIFE Marbled Teal project, which we coordinate from the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, ends its first year of implementation with significant progress.

The main objective of this project is to improve the conservation status of at least 3,000 hectares of wetlands to reverse the risk of extinction of the marbled teal, one of the seven species in a critical situation in Spain and the most endangered duck on the European continent.

To achieve this, conservation actions are being carried out in places critical to the survival of the species. Thus, in these first months of work, two farms in the El Hondo Natural Park, El Espigar I and II, totaling almost 55 hectares of wetlands of great importance for the species, have been acquired by the organizations ANSE and SEO/BirdLife, partners of the project.

On the other hand, almost 500 specimens of marbled teal born in two of the reference captive breeding centers have been released, 15 of them labeled with emitters for monitoring and identification of threats. Along these lines, protocols have been drawn up for habitat management, ex situ conservation of the species, releases for conservation purposes and operation of breeding centres. Likewise, the genetic evaluation of captive and wild populations of marbled teal is in process, which will expand knowledge about the species. 60 nest boxes have also been installed and measures to control predators of the marbled teal have been put in place.

To involve the users of the territory where the marbled teal lives in its conservation, the project has made progress in the first land stewardship agreements and the first actions have been carried out in collaboration with agents from sectors such as fishing or irrigation.

With the aim of presenting the project and exchanging knowledge about the species, several events have been held with the participation of the sectors involved. On the one hand, the first day of exchange of experiences and training was held, which was attended by 73 people. The project’s advisory committee , consisting of representatives from all sectors, has also been established and its first meeting has been held, with 64 participants. In addition, an informative seminar has been held in Brazo del Este (Seville) to publicize the project in the Andalusian territory, with the presence of 30 representatives of the economic sectors of the area, such as the hunting, rice or agriculture sectors.

Finally, in the field of communication and awareness-raising, the project has premiered  website,  presentation video and an informative brochure, among other materials. The project has also been presented at an event in  Biodirectos, which was attended by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Hugo Morán.

PARTNERS OF THE LIFE MARBLED TEAL PROJECT

The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, through the Segura Hydrographic Confederation and Tragsatec; the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development and the Environment and Water Agency; the Generalitat Valenciana; the Government of the Region of Murcia, as well as the organizations SEO/BirdLife and ANSE. It is supported by the LIFE Program of the European Union and the Directorate General for Water.