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2 December 2024 - The visit to several conservation and research centres in Andalusia aimed to foster the exchange of knowledge between Moroccan and Spanish professionals on captive breeding, species reintroduction and biodiversity conservation strategies on species such as the ibis eremita (Geronticus eremita), torillo (Turnix sylvaticus) and sea turtles. It was also discussed how to relaunch a new roadmap to improve the management of the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean between the three governments, Spanish, Moroccan and Andalusian.��

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The Moroccan delegation, led by senior officials from the Moroccan National Agency for Water and Forests (Agence Nationale des Eaux et Forêts -ANEF-), included experts in ecology, protected area management, ecotourism and veterinary sciences. On behalf of the Spanish participants, representatives of the regional government, the Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition and local conservation organisations accompanied the Moroccan delegation throughout their visit. ��

"Strengthening collaboration between the Spanish, Andalusian and Moroccan administrations is key to achieving better results in the conservation of endangered species and in the management of the protected areas we share," said Zouhair Amhaouch, head of ANEF's National Parks and Protected Areas Department. "������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� plays a crucial role as a catalyst for this transboundary cooperation, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and joint efforts to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development in our protected natural areas”. ��

The Moroccan experts had the opportunity to visit several significant sites for the conservation of endangered species, such as the Zoobotanic of Jerez, the Biological Station of Doñana of the CSIC, the International Bird Migration Centre in Tarifa of the Migres Foundation and the Centre for the Management of the Marine Environment of the Strait in Algeciras.��

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The Deputy Mayor and Delegate for Tourism of Jerez, Antonio Real, welcomed the delegation at the Zoobotanical Biodiversity Conservation Centre of Jerez. The Moroccans showed interest in the Spanish experience of conservation and reintroduction of the ibis eremita, Critically Endangered according to the ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Red List^TM, carried out from this centre with the coordination of the Regional Ministry of Sustainability and Environment and the participation of other entities. The objective for Morocco is to develop a similar programme in the Ifrane National Park. They also showed interest in the experiences on other species such as dorcas and dama gazelles.��

A special case is the Andalusian bullfinch, the only bird officially declared extinct in Europe in the last 150 years, but which still has some population on the Moroccan side. The Moroccan government is open to initiating a collaboration programme for a model of breeding, reproduction and reintroduction of this species on the Spanish side in collaboration with the Jerez centre.��

During the visit to Doñana, they also learned first-hand about the Iberian lynx conservation programme with the aim of developing a captive breeding and reintroduction model for the African serval (Leptailurus serval), a wild cat slightly larger than the lynx, considered extinct in the country.��

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The visit to the marine species recovery centre in Algeciras (CEGMA) was taken as a reference to support a similar centre in Alhouceima for the recovery of sea turtles. Finally, the Moroccan delegation exchanged experiences on challenges and opportunities in the management of protected areas with the technicians of the Strait of Gibraltar Natural Park, where they visited its equipment and facilities. ��

"This international collaboration reinforces the commitment to biodiversity and the protection of key ecosystems in this ecologically valuable region. ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� will continue to support these experience-sharing initiatives that are essential to ensure a sustainable future and the conservation of the most threatened species," said Maher Mahjoub, Director of ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ��'s Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation.

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The Spanish Ministry for Ecological Transition, the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment and the Moroccan National Water and Forestry Agency are ������ϲʿ�������ֳ�ֱ�� Members.