Iberian Lynx in Donana National Park Travel Magnet

Doñana National Park, encompassing over 543 km² at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River, is one of Europe's most important wetland reserves and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Its diverse mosaic of landscapes includes marshes, tidal dunes, scrubland, pine groves, and clean white beaches, all supporting an extraordinary variety of ecosystems . The park is especially celebrated as a wintering ground for waterfowl, hosting upwards of 500,000 birds annually and supporting over 300 recorded bird species, including endangered species like the Spanish imperial eagle and the rare Iberian lynx . A haven for biodiversity, Doñana supports not only outstanding avifauna but also 50 mammal species (including deer, wild boar, and otters), 21 reptile, 11 amphibian, and 20 freshwater fish species . Visiting the park offers a variety of guided eco-tours and birdwatching excursions at centres such as Acebuche and Dehesa Boyal, which provide educational trails, observation hides, and access to varied habitats . While celebrated for its natural beauty, Doñana also faces environmental challenges. Water extraction—especially illegal irrigation wells—and tourism pressure have put strain on its underlying aquifer, prompting renewed calls for stricter conservation measures. In 2023, regional authorities proposed expanding the protected area by 7,500 hectares, although international bodies caution that more action is needed to address the root causes of habitat degradation