The polecat of the rice fields of Pals

In our riparian woodlands and wetlands, rich in biodiversity, together with well-preserved agricultural areas and some Pyrenean forests, a small population of one of the mammals that goes most unnoticed and has received the least attention over recent decades still survives today: the weasel, or as it is otherwise known. Stink badger.

You may know the ferret, the domestic relative of the weasel, often kept as a pet, but the wild, original species, the weasel, is harder to spot since it is strictly nocturnal, small and, to make matters worse, moves through bushes and especially in and out of holes.  

The bulk of the turò surviving in Catalonia inhabits, like much of our biodiversity, the agricultural areas where the traditional landscape is preserved, rich in semi-naturalised features such as vegetated hedgerows, ditches, small woodlands and enclosures. In Empordà these habitats are ideal for the turò to live.

But the lynx is one of the least known and currently most threatened carnivores in our wildlife. In Catalonia, over the past 40 years, more than 80% of its former distribution area has disappeared..

Much of the territory has been transformed in recent years almost irreversibly into a highly urbanised area, occupied by intensive agricultural production models and criss-crossed by secondary roads with heavy traffic, especially during the summer months, when several individuals are killed each year by being run over.

The proliferation of species such as the American mink, the coypu, the American crayfish and the feral cat does it no favours, with threats ranging from attacks to reduced food supplies.

The situation is significantly alarming., We find ourselves facing a situation of an extinction vortex, in which the hilltops become isolated and, once isolated, it is only a matter of time before they disappear one after another.

The European wildcat is one of the most threatened mammals in Catalonia and is critically endangered, with between 100 and 300 individuals surviving today.

Importance of the hill for the unique habitats of Pals

The hill is a predator, a very important fact, and it is probably the kind of animal that is shaping the populations of prey, competitors and perhaps It could be a key species for the Mediterranean ecosystems of the coastal regions of Catalonia.

The hill helps to control species that could become pests to agriculture.

The hill can act as a keystone species, providing protection for many other species. and could serve as a symbol to draw greater attention to the preservation of systems such as arable and agroforestry systems, or wetlands that have been largely forgotten, like those found in parts of the municipality of Pals, which are home to much of Catalonia's biodiversity.

Hill Restoration in Catalonia

The creation of the #TuroCat project in 2019 is one of the projects with the firm objective of recovering it. Coordinated by the Department of Territory and Sustainability, the Barcelona Zoo andNGO Trenca with funding from Biodiversity Foundation From the Ministry for Ecological Transition, the recovery of the European hare and the improvement of its habitat are being promoted. The project will carry out the following actions:

Release of one of around twenty European tortoises in Catalonia during 2021. Find out more.

Reintroduction of predators together with 120 rabbits at Empordà Wetland Natural Park and on the banks of the Lower Ter, where these small mammals (a key part of the ecosystem and a common prey of the tawny owl) have become very scarce.

Capture of invasive species like the American mink (Neovison mink) in optimal areas for the hill's recovery or where it is currently present in Girona, and also in riparian habitats that are interesting for the hill's future in Lleida.

Signing agreements with various landowners and managers of protected areas for the conservation of the traditional agricultural landscape, essential for the survival of the hill.

Creation of collaboration agreements with the Aiguamolls de l'Empordà natural parks; the Montgrí Natural Park, the Medes Islands and the Lower Ter; with the Natural Site of National Interest of the Albera, and with the Ter Consortium.

Editing a documentary About this little-known and threatened carnivore that you can see below.

The #turocat project has the human and logistical support of the Provincial Rural Agents Corps of Girona, the’Institute of Rural Tourism Mas Badia (DARP), the University of Girona, the Empordà Marshes Wildlife Recovery Centre, the Ter Consortium and various organisations, landowners and naturalists from Empordà. The project's principal investigator is Salvador Salvador, affiliated with the University of Girona.

Regression of the hill to the Pals rice paddies if the North Road is built

After almost ten years, a hill with a young one was seen again in the Pals rice fields last year.. All indications are that some individuals also survive in the vineyards and pine woods located a few kilometres from Pals Beach. 

However, on the other hand, we must also consider that, owing to the disastrous consequences of Storm Gloria, the widespread clearance of verges, ditches and streams in the Pals area was poorly subsidised. Unfortunately, this may have dealt a very severe blow to the species.

But at present The most worrying situation for the hill's recovery would be the construction of the North Access Road to Pals Beach. of which the Town Council has already approved the wording.

It is a road that will be partially built in the middle of a natural area of great environmental value. Called the Jonquers, it is part of the former Vernegar pond, partly a rice field, bordering the Basses d'en Coll Partial Natural Reserve, the Montgrí Natural Park, the Medes Islands and the Lower Ter. 

We recall that, according to Pals's PG’86, which is completely outdated and unsustainable, the construction of the northern access road with a new development partly on the rice paddies is planned in the Jonquers floodplain., with a very high net buildable area of 1 m² Ceiling built per metre² of the ground, with more than 9,400 m² built, with 501 TP3T for hotel use, 401 TP3T residential, 1,000 m² for commercial use and 2,417 m² of parking, which will have a great impact on the Natural Park. Find out more.

Demand urgent protection for this area.

We need your support to protect Pals Beach and prevent further urban development there, in order to safeguard its unique habitats.

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We thank the photographer and filmmaker Eva Colomina , the photographer Ramón Fortià and to the principal investigator Salvador Salvador, affiliated with the UdG, for the audiovisual materials and contributions to the drafting of this article.

Article creation date: 8/4/2021.