Across Spain, NGOs have offered estimates on wildlife losses caused by the recent fires. In the Vall d’Ebo fire near Alicante, figures suggest that roughly 70,000 animals may have perished, while in Galicia the toll could reach several hundred thousand. The human fatalities in related incidents, including wolves in the Sierra de la Culebra in Zamora, are part of the broader tragedy that accompanies these blazes.
Experts from multiple universities collaborated to develop a method for approximating the number of animals killed in wildfires within natural areas. The approach uses a baseline of how many animals, by region, might inhabit a burned hectare, focusing on mammals, birds, and rodents. Preliminary calculations indicate a typical range of about 10 to 15 individuals per hectare for these groups. By multiplying this estimate by the number of hectares burned, researchers arrive at a stark figure that underscores the severity of the event. In what is described as a worst-case scenario, the scale of loss could reach a million animals across the country this summer.
However, the Franz Weber Foundation rightly notes that these calculations cover only wild, free-ranging wildlife. They do not account for animals on livestock farms or pets living in cottages and chalets. When these additional populations are considered, the human and ecological impact is even greater, painting a fuller, more troubling picture of the disaster.
There has been widespread sharing of videos during the crisis, some captured by clergy members using smartphones. In these clips, goats and sheep are seen being led to safety as flames approach, illustrating attempts to protect domesticated animals from the advancing fires. Yet many farm animals did not survive, trapped inside barns or enclosures as the fires closed in. These scenes are heartbreaking, highlighting the fragility of animals that rely on human care for rescue in moments of crisis.
As the fires raged, long-standing farm managers faced the reality that contingency plans for animal rescue were tested or, in some cases, found wanting. Looking ahead, it is likely that plans will be revisited and revised in response to this event, as authorities and organizations reassess how best to safeguard animals in future fires. The stark truth remains: while a vast number of animals were spared in the recent days, a great many others did not survive the flames, underscoring the urgent need for stronger, more proactive measures to prevent such losses going forward.