Spain Faces a New Wildlife Challenge: The Silent Spread of the Egyptian Mongoose

A Stealthy Predator on the Rise

The Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon), once limited to specific regions in southern Iberia, has significantly extended its range across Spain in recent decades. Its expansion, now firmly established in Extremadura, Andalusia, and even parts of central Spain, is raising red flags among ecologists and wildlife managers.

Originally introduced or naturally migrated from North Africa, this opportunistic predator has proven exceptionally adaptable. It feeds on a wide variety of prey—including rabbits, hares, birds, reptiles, and small mammals—which has enabled it to thrive in diverse environments.

A recent study published by Springer Nature confirms that the mongoose’s advance is not confined to Spain alone. In Portugal, where researchers analyzed three decades of hunting data, the species peaked in 2017 and has since become a stable and influential predator—especially in areas where prey populations are vulnerable.

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Why Conservationists Are Worried

The Egyptian mongoose is now being blamed for a noticeable decline in key native species, particularly hares and wild rabbits, which play essential roles in both biodiversity and traditional hunting culture. These species were already under pressure from disease outbreaks like myxomatosis and rabbit hemorrhagic disease, and the growing mongoose population has only worsened their survival chances.

In Portugal, the number of hunted rabbits and hares has dropped dramatically since 2013, and Spain may be heading down a similar path. Foxes, another native predator, also contribute to the decline—but unlike mongooses, their spread has remained relatively stable.

For Spain’s hunters and land managers, the rising mongoose population poses not only ecological concerns, but also economic and cultural ones, as rabbit hunting remains a deeply rooted rural tradition.

Regional Responses: Control Without Chaos

To address this growing threat, several autonomous regions in Spain have begun implementing control strategies.

• In Extremadura, controlled hunting of mongooses is now allowed from October to February, during daylight hours and with prior authorization. The objective: reduce predatory pressure on endangered species without disrupting the broader ecosystem.
• In Andalusia, the mongoose has not yet been declared a game species, but exceptional culling is permitted when evidence of environmental or agricultural damage is presented.

While these policies mark a cautious first step, some in the hunting and farming sectors remain skeptical. They argue that sporadic interventions may not be enough—and could create more problems if not part of a broader, science-based management plan.

Finding Balance Between Conservation and Control

The case of the Egyptian mongoose illustrates a growing dilemma in modern wildlife management: how to preserve ecological balance without triggering unintended consequences. Conservation experts stress the need for cross-border collaboration between Spain and Portugal, as well as the development of long-term, data-driven population strategies.

Controlling an adaptable and fast-spreading species like the mongoose is no easy task. But ignoring it risks further disruption of native ecosystems and traditional land use.

The path forward will require coordination, research, and a willingness to act before it’s too late.