A quail perched on dry grass with a blurred background. — the quail won't be considered endangered | Europa Press

Camara — the quail won't be considered endangered | Europa Press

The Quail Is Declared Out of Danger of Extinction

By making this decision, its hunting won't be banned in Spain

18/02/2025 16:55:00h

Gonzalo Pinilla

The Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO) has reported that the quail will not be considered endangered, so its hunting will not be banned in Spain. MITECO has assured that there is not enough evidence to include the quail in the category of threatened species, according to the criteria established in the Resolution of March 6, 2017, which regulates the Spanish Catalog of Threatened Species.

Two small birds with brown and white plumage are standing among the tall grass in a natural setting.

MITECO has assured that there isn't enough evidence to include the quail in the category of threatened species | Europa Press

The report highlights that the joint work between institutions and the hunting sector, such as the Coturnix project, has allowed for robust data on the conservation status of the species. This project, which involves more than 5,000 hunters and is supported by an innovative monitoring method developed by the University of Barcelona, has significantly improved the accuracy of quail density estimates, a crucial advancement for its conservation.

In response to the scientific report's recommendations on the quail, MITECO has also emphasized that suspending the hunting of the species has not been suggested. Instead, it proposes reviewing management strategies, which differs from some recommendations calling for a general moratorium. According to the Ministry, conservation policies must be based on rigorous and precise scientific information, not on assumptions or ideological pressures.

A bird with brown and black plumage stands among vegetation and wildflowers in a natural setting.

Instead, it is proposed to review management strategies | Europa Press

The Coturnix project has been key in monitoring and collecting accurate data. Since its inception in 2020, it has conducted more than 2,000 censuses and collected 49,100 biological samples, thanks to the active participation of hunters nationwide. These collaborative efforts have provided reliable information to authorities for informed decision-making, contributing to biodiversity protection and hunting sustainability.

The entities responsible for Coturnix, such as Mutuasport, Fundación Artemisan, and the Royal Spanish Hunting Federation, appreciate the involvement of hunters and emphasize that their collaboration has been essential to prevent the inclusion of the quail in the endangered species list without scientific basis. Additionally, they call for continued support of scientific projects that back decisions based on data and not on interests unrelated to ecological well-being.

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