MOUFLON SHEEP IN TENERIFE

The mouflon sheep in Tenerife is a species that was brought to Tenerife in 1971 for hunting and is a threat to native flora.

The smallest among sheep is typified by its massive horns, the older the larger the horns. They curl around behind the ears and can reach up to 85 cm in length. The ram has a shoulder height of 75 centimetres on average and can weigh up to 50 kilograms.

The herbivore was introduced to Tenerife as big game half a century ago and today poses a threat to at least 14 native plants. Since 2017, two hunting seasons have been held every year, at the end of May and in October, to control the mouflon population in Teide National Park.

Harmful

In the 2021-2022 hunting season, 235 individuals were shot while the island government – Cabildo de Tenerife – has set a quota of at least 137 mouflons for this year with the aim of exceeding the previous year’s number. This bovine species is exotic and introduced, and invasive because it damages native biodiversity. Therefore, the mouflon must disappear from the island.

Eleven mouflons were flown to Tenerife in 1971 with the aim of introducing a big game species to the archipelago. As on La Palma, the mouflon was placed in a strange ecosystem, but it managed to adapt miraculously. Thus, the population grew and now poses a threat to some native plants.

Research

According to the research conducted by Juan Luis Rodríguez Luengo, PhD in Biological Sciences, the analysis of stomach contents and faeces confirmed the presence of 14 Canarian endemic plant species, 12 of which are exclusive to Tenerife. The professor believes another 35 endemic plant species on Tenerife could be at risk.

It is estimated that between 1,000 and 2,000 mouflons have been removed from their habitat by hunting and trapping since their introduction to Tenerife in 1971. They are present in the Parque Nacional del Teide and in the Corona Forestal.

Political reluctance

In high mountains, this sheep with its showy antlers prefers gorse, strawgrass and mountain grass, while in pine forests it prefers gorse, malpica or Canary pine. Its herbivorous diet also includes some plants listed in the catalogue of endangered species in the Canary Islands, such as silver thistle (Jarilla de Las Cañadas).

Due to the lack of decision-making (read: political courage), the mouflon has not yet been eradicated. The hunters’ collective has great influence over the political establishment. There are 12,000 licensed hunters, more than 1,000 of whom are licence holders on big game.