No species left behind: how Spain saved its animals from wildfire
Spain’s Wildlife Rescue: No Creature Left Behind During Historic Wildfires
Healfromzero.com – As residents of Spain scrambled to escape the devastating wildfires consuming their homeland, dedicated personnel at Safari Madrid faced a different kind of challenge. Their mission extended beyond human evacuation—hundreds of creatures ranging from towering reptiles to majestic large cats required urgent protection. With fire rapidly approaching the safari facility, caretaker teams made the critical decision to remain behind, systematically guiding their charges into climate-controlled concrete enclosures designed to withstand the inferno. Meanwhile, as the heavens transformed into an orange canvas and dense gray smoke billowed into the atmosphere, workers continuously sprayed water across the grounds to create firebreaks and prevent the flames from breaching the sanctuary’s boundaries.
The wildfires that devastated the western regions of Madrid last week ultimately consumed approximately 131 square miles of territory. Within this devastated landscape, Safari Madrid stood as one of numerous protective strongholds in a coordinated regional campaign to rescue animals from farms, sanctuaries, and other facilities threatened by the spreading blaze.
A Community United in Rescue
In the town of San Martin de Valdeiglesias, situated roughly 70 kilometers or 43 miles west of Madrid’s center, local authorities demonstrated remarkable ingenuity. Mayor Aránzazu Povedano Fraguela reported that a traditional bullring was hastily transformed into an emergency shelter accommodating horses, ponies, donkeys, goats, cats, and dogs seeking refuge from the approaching flames.
The Spanish Civil Guard mobilized swiftly to assist in the evacuation efforts. Their commitment was captured in a social media message: “We leave no one behind, whatever the species.” Accompanying this declaration were compelling videos documenting their members working across multiple farms throughout the affected region. These dedicated personnel were observed evacuating horses and goats, providing comfort to cows and chickens, and checking on ostriches, camels, and crocodiles. Additional footage revealed their compassionate approach toward household pets.
“They look so helpless and confused when we evacuate them, they just freeze completely. But they’re another member of the family and even more so in these circumstances,” the civil guard shared on their platform.
Expanding the Sanctuary
At Safari Madrid, the rescue operation extended beyond the park’s own population of approximately 1,000 animals. The facility welcomed evacuees from Kuna Iberica, a neighboring wildlife sanctuary dedicated to rescuing injured and abandoned creatures. As the fire intensified, Safari Madrid assumed responsibility for a Eurasian lynx and an Iberian wolf—both requiring anesthesia during their dramatic transfer—as well as four vultures seeking safety.
“The evacuation plan was simply to take out everything we could, and everything we could get out, we would get out,” explained Isaac Navarro, director of Kuna Iberica.
Some Kuna Iberica residents found temporary refuge at Alfonso X El Sabio University, while birds of prey were welcomed by another Madrid-based wildlife rescue organization. Navarro reflected on the unprecedented nature of the crisis: “I had never experienced a situation like this, we had never faced a fire like this, and (the evacuation) was done with all the haste, as best as we could.”
Staff members at Kuna Iberica implemented a creative strategy, opening enclosure gates to allow certain animals temporary freedom before gathering them back together for overnight care. Since these rescued creatures cannot survive independently in the wild and rely entirely on human caretakers, they remained in close proximity and eagerly returned to their enclosures once conditions improved. The situation proved precarious, with flames approaching within 10 meters or 32 feet of the facility, yet remarkably, no animals sustained injuries, according to Navarro.
Aftermath and Recovery
At Safari Madrid, the fire eventually approached within 500 meters or 1,640 feet of the park boundaries before shifting direction. Nevertheless, vigilance remained essential. Park spokesperson Jose Luis Cano Becerro described their ongoing efforts: “During the day, we examined the land that had been burned … and put out a log that was still burning and could reignite.”
Caretakers maintained watch through two consecutive nights, eventually feeling confident enough to rest on the second evening, though “always with some concern, but each day the situation improved.” Fortunately, every animal survived the ordeal, though some exhibited signs of restlessness. While indoor confinement during veterinary examinations was routine for the park’s residents, remaining enclosed for more than 24 hours represented an unfamiliar experience for several creatures.
“Some (animals) got a little agitated,” said Cano Becerro. “We think it was because they had to stay inside for so long and couldn’t go out, which is not usual in their routine, especially the male Asian elephants who are adolescents and were a bit more restless, but nothing concerning.”
Navarro expressed mixed emotions about the outcome: “In the end you’re left with the bitter feeling that the whole area, the whole region has been burned, but at least our animals are all safe.” All Kuna Iberica animals have since returned to their sanctuary. Similarly, Safari Madrid’s residents have resumed their normal habitats, and the park has welcomed visitors once again. However, with smoke still visible on the horizon and government officials urging continued caution, caretakers anticipate that full recovery may require additional time.
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