During this recent visit, organized in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the delegation from the National Agency for Water and Forests (ANEF) visited several entities specializing in captive breeding, reintroduction, and recovery of endangered wildlife in Andalusia.

The goal is to promote knowledge sharing between Moroccan and Spanish professionals on captive breeding, species reintroduction, and biodiversity conservation strategies for species such as the Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita), the Buttonquail (Turnix sylvaticus), and sea turtles, according to an IUCN statement.

The Moroccan experts, members of the delegation, had the opportunity to visit several key sites for the conservation of endangered species, including the Jerez Zoo-Botanical Garden, the Doñana Biological Station of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), the International Center for Bird Migration in Tarifa (Migres Foundation), and the Marine Environment Management Center of the Strait in Algeciras, the statement added.

Discussions between the team from the IUCN’s Mediterranean Cooperation Center and Moroccan and Spanish experts focused on ways to develop a new roadmap to improve the management of the Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean, involving the three governments—Spanish, Moroccan, and Andalusian.

"Strengthening collaboration between the Spanish, Andalusian, and Moroccan administrations is essential to achieve better results in conserving endangered species and managing the protected areas we share," said Zouhair Amhaouch, head of the National Parks and Protected Areas Department at ANEF, as quoted in the statement.

He added that the IUCN plays a crucial role as a catalyst for this cross-border cooperation by facilitating knowledge exchange and joint efforts to protect biodiversity and promote sustainable development in protected natural areas.

This international collaboration "reinforces the commitment to biodiversity and the protection of key ecosystems in this ecologically valuable region," emphasized Maher Mahjoub, Director of the IUCN Mediterranean Cooperation Center. He noted that the IUCN will continue to support these experience-sharing initiatives, which are essential for ensuring a sustainable future and conserving the most threatened species.

Throughout their visit to Andalusia, the Moroccan delegation held meetings with representatives of the regional government, the Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition, and local endangered species conservation organizations.