0
Forest five minutes from capital city named 'Europe's best-conserved'
ONE of Europe's best-preserved woodlands with the most exotic variety of endangered species is just five kilometres from Spain's largest metropolis, according to the organisation Patrimonio Natural ('natural heritage').
A forest in the heart of the El Pardo mountain just a five-minute drive north-west of Madrid, covering a total of 16,000 hectares and surrounded by 90 kilometres of fence is home to such iconic indigenous species as the black swan, imperial eagle, mountain cat and wild boar.
Other fauna which runs wild in the area of which less than a quarter is open to the public includes badgers, deer, golden eagles and vultures.
Trees and shrubs typical of Mediterranean countries include holm oak, pistachio trees, pines, laurel, European fan palm and oak.
Although very much land-locked, the El Pardo reserve has huge lakes with sandy 'beaches' and dunes similar to those seen on the coast, home to aquatic birds, and its flora and fauna is much the same as those found in natural parks bordering the Mediterranean sea.
The El Pardo mountain forms part of the Europe-wide Natura 2000 network and is considered an official Special Bird Protection Zone (ZEPA).
According to Patrimonio Natural, the park's 'strong links with the Crown', including being used as a private hunting ground for the Royal family, is one of the facets that has led to its being so well preserved.
In fact, Patrimonio Natural says it is officially the best-conserved area of countryside on the continent, as yet managing to escape the threat of urban development from the ever-expanding suburbs of Madrid.
Whilst most of the El Pardo forest is off limits to the public, just over 1,000 hectares are covered with viewing points, footpaths and information plaques for walkers to explore and find out more about the eclectic mix of wildlife in the area.
Maybe in the near future the wolves and lynxes will return, in fact they have already been seen by the mountains at 50km from Madrid. They also inhabited bears In Madrid centuries ago, that is why it is the symbol of Madrid
Remember tourist when you go to Madrid, the symbol of Madrid is not a bull or an andalusian flamenca, it is a bear and an arbutus
Bookmarks