Published 04 May 2026 | Nature & Environment

TL;DR: Brown bear fossils found in a hidden cave in the Sierra de Gador reveal that Almeria once had a cooler, greener landscape capable of supporting large mammals.

Hidden cave in Almeria reveals Spain’s oldest brown bear fossils

High in the rugged slopes of the Sierra de Gador, between Felix and Dalias, a little-known cave is quietly changing how scientists understand the deep history of southern Spain.

Inside the Cueva de los Burros, researchers have confirmed the presence of brown bear fossils dating back between 400,000 and 500,000 years. That makes them the oldest known brown bear fossils in Spain and among the earliest evidence of the species anywhere in Europe.

It is a discovery that forces a simple but striking realisation: half a million years ago, this part of Almeria looked nothing like it does today.

When Almeria was a very different landscape

Today, much of the province is defined by dry hills, semi-arid conditions and sparse vegetation. But the presence of these brown bear fossils tells a completely different story about the past.

These animals require cooler climates, access to water and enough vegetation to sustain large populations. Their presence suggests that the Sierra de Gador once supported a far richer ecosystem, with forests and conditions more similar to northern Spain than modern-day Almeria.

The cave itself sits on a north-facing slope overlooking the Campo de Dalias, a position that would have helped preserve moisture and vegetation in prehistoric times.

For researchers, this is more than a fossil find. It is direct evidence of long-term climate shifts that reshaped the entire region.

A discovery decades in the making

The story of the cave is almost as interesting as the fossils themselves.

The first bone fragments were discovered decades ago by local speleologist David Martinez when he was still a teenager. At the time, the find did not receive the scientific attention it deserved.

Interest in the site returned years later, in 2016, when Martinez revisited the cave with environmental officers. This time, the importance of the discovery was recognised and documented, allowing proper scientific study to begin.

The remains were later transferred to the University of Almeria’s scientific collections centre, where they could be preserved and analysed in detail.

What the brown bear fossils reveal

Further analysis, including work carried out by specialists from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, confirmed both the age and significance of the fossils.

The remains belong to the brown bear (Ursus arctos), a species still found today in parts of northern Spain and Europe. Their age places them firmly in the Middle Pleistocene, a period marked by major climatic fluctuations.

These brown bear fossils provide rare evidence of how large mammals once lived in southern Spain under very different environmental conditions.

This makes the Sierra de Gador site one of the key reference points for understanding how wildlife adapted to changing environments on the Iberian Peninsula.

Why the cave remains off limits

Despite its importance, the Cueva de los Burros is not open to the public. There are no official trails, signs or visitor facilities leading to the site.

This is intentional. Sensitive archaeological and paleontological sites are often kept unmarked to prevent damage, looting or accidental destruction.

For now, the cave remains a protected scientific location rather than a tourist attraction.

A hidden layer of Almeria’s identity

For residents and visitors, the idea of brown bears once roaming the hills above Dalias can feel surprising. Yet it adds another layer to Almeria’s identity — one that goes far beyond beaches, greenhouses and desert landscapes.

The discovery of these brown bear fossils is now considered one of the most important paleontological finds in Almeria province.

The province is not only shaped by recent history, but also by deep geological and environmental changes that continue to be uncovered.

Discoveries like this remind us that the landscape we see today is only a snapshot in a much longer story.

Final thoughts

The hidden cave in the Sierra de Gador may never become a place you can visit, but its significance is undeniable.

It reveals a version of Almeria that no longer exists — a cooler, greener landscape capable of supporting large mammals like the brown bear.

And in doing so, it offers something rare: a direct connection between the dry hills of today and a prehistoric world that once looked completely different.

Curious about Almeria’s landscapes, wildlife and environmental changes? Explore more stories in our Nature & Environment section.

Published 03 May 2026 | Nature & Environment

TL;DR: New 2026 wildlife surveys in Turre and Huercal-Overa have recorded 46 Mediterranean spur-thighed tortoises so far, offering encouraging signs for one of Almeria’s best-known protected native reptiles.

Mediterranean tortoise numbers show positive signs in Almeria surveys

Mediterranean tortoise monitoring in Almeria province has brought encouraging early results this spring, with new surveys recording healthy activity in parts of Turre and Huercal-Overa.

The latest fieldwork has been carried out by SERBAL, a local biodiversity association that has spent years studying and protecting wildlife habitats across the province.

Early 2026 surveys have already identified dozens of individuals, suggesting a steady local presence of the Mediterranean tortoise in monitored areas.

Why the Mediterranean tortoise matters

The Mediterranean tortoise is one of the most distinctive reptiles living naturally in southeast Spain. It depends on dry scrubland, open terrain and stable habitat conditions, making it vulnerable to land pressure, road traffic, illegal collection and environmental change.

Because of that, regular monitoring is important. It helps conservation groups understand whether local Mediterranean tortoise numbers are stable, improving or under pressure.

What the new surveys found

According to the latest census work, a total of 46 tortoises were recorded during the first two monitoring rounds of 2026.

• 32 were found in the Turre area
• 14 were found around Huercal-Overa

The sightings included juveniles, sub-adults and mature adults. That matters because a mix of age groups can suggest continued breeding and population continuity for the Mediterranean tortoise population.

Rain improves habitat conditions

Field teams also noted that recent rainfall has improved vegetation cover in several areas. More plant growth can create better feeding conditions after dry periods.

At the same time, thicker vegetation can make smaller tortoises harder to spot during surveys, meaning real numbers may be higher than visible counts suggest.

Can visitors see Mediterranean tortoises?

Although the species exists in parts of Almeria province, sightings are never guaranteed. Wild tortoises are protected animals and should never be disturbed, handled or removed from their habitat.

Anyone lucky enough to spot one should observe from a respectful distance.

Final thoughts

While one survey season never tells the full story, the first 2026 results appear positive. Continued monitoring in the coming months should provide a clearer picture of long-term trends for the Mediterranean tortoise in Almeria province.

Want to discover more stories about wildlife, landscapes, sustainability and changing ecosystems across the province? Explore our latest Nature & Environment coverage.

Published December 30, 2025 | Category: Community

TL;DR: Residents on the Vera coast are calling on Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition to stop repeated sand replenishments and finally build long-planned breakwaters, arguing that millions of euros have already been spent on temporary fixes that disappear after every storm.

Vera coast residents urge ministry to stop ‘wasted’ sand spending and build long-promised breakwaters

A residents’ association on the coast of Vera has launched a public campaign urging locals to contact Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition and demand a permanent solution to ongoing beach erosion.

The group Veraplayazul has asked residents to “flood” the Ministry’s email inbox with messages calling for the construction of the pending breakwaters, while criticising what it describes as an “ineffective” cycle of repeatedly dumping sand on the shoreline.

The call comes after the latest sand replenishment carried out by the Dirección General de Costas in early December was largely washed away by storms that affected the area in mid-December. A further bout of bad weather last weekend reportedly worsened the situation, again exposing vulnerable stretches of coastline.

According to the association, the repeated loss of replenished sand shows poor use of public resources and underlines the need to deliver the coastal defence works that have been promised for years. The campaign specifically highlights the need to ensure the long-term survival of the beaches affected by erosion, with particular concern for the naturist beach.

Veraplayazul argues that sand replenishments are short-lived patches rather than a structural solution. It says that over the last six years, there have been eight replenishments, each costing around €400,000, for an estimated total of roughly €3.2 million.

By comparison, the long-planned breakwater project — first proposed nearly two decades ago — is estimated at around €3.6 million. Local groups maintain that the breakwaters are the only viable long-term option to stabilise the coastline and reduce the need for repeated emergency interventions.

The campaign has reignited debate in Vera, where the demand for breakwaters has long been supported across local politics. With winter storms repeatedly undoing temporary measures, Veraplayazul says it is now pushing the issue directly to the level of the Ministry, arguing that stop-gap solutions have been exhausted.

Want more on beaches, nature, local projects and environmental updates across the province? Browse our latest Nature & Environment stories.