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Municipalities
Geographical size
Human population
Number of livestock farmers
Livestock farming systems
Large carnivores species
Wolf population
SOCIOECONOMIC CONTEXT
Nested within the Gredos Regional Park and recognised as part of the Natura 2000 network, the landscape includes forests of Scots pine and Pyrenean oak, alongside extensive shrublands. Above 1,800 metres, the landscape features glacial cirques and alpine meadows. Winters in the area are long and snowy, while summers are brief and dry. These climatic factors determine seasonal grazing activities throughout the year.
The local economy is structured around extensive cattle farming and nature-based tourism. Seasonal tourism has grown steadily due to the area’s scenic beauty and outdoor recreational offerings (hiking, birdwatching), but livestock production remains vital to the rural economy, cultural identity, and landscape conservation.
These rural mountain communities face severe demographic challenges: population decline, ageing, limited job market, and outmigration of the younger generation. However, traditions like summer cattle drives through the Puerto del Pico and festivities tied to pastoralism still persist and foster a strong sense of belonging and cultural heritage among local residents.
FARMING CONTEXT
Farming is primarily based on the extensive beef cattle rearing, featuring the local Avileña-Negra Ibérica breed alongside international breeds such as Limousine or Charolais. The Hispano-Breton horse breed is commonly raised in the area for meat production. Animals graze year-round across a diverse mix of private holdings and communal lands and birth outdoors. Transhumance remains an active tradition, with herders moving cattle to high mountain pastures in summer and to warmer areas in winter. Most farms are managed by one or two individuals, and mechanisation is limited.
Main challenges
Ageing farmer population and low generational renewal.
Sanitary status and animal health regulations, particularly tuberculosis and brucellosis.
Predation by wolves, emotional burden on herders, and administrative delays for compensation.
Declining profitability and dependency on EU subsidies.
Scarce rural infrastructure and limited public services.
LOCAL CONFLICT ASSOCIATED WITH LARGE CARNIVORES
Number of attacks: Livestock predation by wolves has increased significantly in Ávila province in recent years.
- In 2023, over 1,652 animals were killed, about 85% were cattle.
- Dozens of attacks are reported annually in the study area.
- In 2020 San Martín del Pimpollar suffered 49 wolf attacks, and Navarredonda de Gredos recorded 36 attacks.
- Most attacks occur during summer grazing, but winter attacks also occur near villages.
Social conflict: The conflict has both material and social dimensions.
- Farmers report increased workload, emotional stress, and a growing sense of helplessness since lethal control was prohibited in 2021.
- Compensation systems are perceived as slow and insufficient, not covering the true loss.
- Non-lethal preventive measures (guard dogs and electric fencing), have limited effectiveness in extensive cattle systems due to large areas, rugged terrain, and scattered herds.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.