SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 1 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Biosphere Reserve of the Anaga Massif, located within the municipality of Tegueste, is implementing a pioneering landscape management model that combines traditional farming, fire prevention, and ecological conservation. This initiative utilises a total of 400 sheep, commonly known as ‘firefighter sheep’, which are tasked with clearing ravines, paths, and plots, serving as an efficient natural firebreak while foraging.

The project is led by farmers José Manuel Trujillo Hernández and Francisco Javier Rodríguez García, members of the Guayeros Association of the Villa de Tegueste (AGUAVITE), and is supported by the Tegueste City Council.

Mayor Norberto Padilla has emphasised the strategic importance of this initiative, highlighting that the municipality is a pioneer on the island of Tenerife.

“We are committed to real, economical, and environmentally friendly solutions. This directed grazing model not only prevents fires but also boosts our livestock sector, aids in maintaining ecosystems, and contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable municipality. We aim to solidify this project as an example for the entire island,” he stated.

The Councillor for the Environment, Julián Rodríguez, stressed the need to “seek effective, sustainable solutions that are committed to our surroundings.” This measure is being implemented within the UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve of the Anaga Massif, recognised for its significant natural value.

“If this area were to catch fire, we would lose one of the most important environmental treasures in the Canary Islands. We cannot allow that to happen,” he declared.

The ‘firefighter sheep’ are not merely a symbol; they are a functional and efficient tool, as noted by the City Council. Each sheep consumes between 4 and 5 kilos of dry vegetation daily, which would otherwise act as fuel during the warmer months.

“What many may consider as weeds is food for these animals,” they highlighted.

José Luis García Ángel, president of AGUAVITE, reiterated that this work has “a direct positive environmental impact,” emphasising, “these sheep are hard at work, eating the problem.”

He also pointed out the need for institutions to “become even more involved” and assist in hiring someone to accompany the livestock and manage the manual clearing of tall bushes that the sheep cannot reach.

“This way, we can prevent that vegetation from becoming a fire hazard,” he underscored.

A PROJECT BORN FROM EMERGENCY: RURAL RESPONSE TO THE 2023 FIRE

This project, driven by the Tegueste City Council through its Environment and Primary Sector departments, along with the AGUAVITE Association, was conceived in response to the emergency experienced in the summer of 2023, when a significant fire affected the island of Tenerife amidst extreme drought and high temperatures.

Faced with a lack of forage in their pens, farmers Trujillo and Rodríguez decided to release their sheep to forage, a strategy already employed in Gran Canaria.

Since then, they have continuously traversed paths and ravines in areas such as El Socorro, Pedro Álvarez, Portezuelo, and Molina.

“For every area we clear, we create a safer and more protected zone against fire. We have learned from our colleagues in Gran Canaria, where this model is already established. There, the herds are equipped with GPS, and shepherds receive compensation per hectare grazed. Technical monitoring allows us to measure real results, and costs are lower than hiring a cleaning team. We want to reach that level here as well,” commented Francisco Rodríguez.

The goal is to achieve complete integration of directed grazing into public policies for the protection of rural and forest environments, ensuring the continuity of an active and functional livestock model.

For this reason, a campaign entitled ‘More Grazing, Less Posturing’ has been launched at the European level.

Furthermore, the response from local residents has been overwhelmingly positive.

Many locals have expressed their satisfaction with the presence of livestock in high-risk areas, appreciating both the environmental impact and the revival of a traditional practice that plays a crucial role in the protection of rural and forest landscapes.