The outstanding nature of the Canary Islands has been recognized by European, national and
regional administrations since the arrival of democracy in Spain. Forty‐five per cent of its emerged territory
has been declared as Natural Protected Areas, four Canarian National Parks were included within the
Spanish network, more than 200 endemics were listed in the Spanish catalogue of endangered species,
and 450 species were listed in the Canarian catalogue of protected species. However, in recent years, political
decisions have started dismantling this splendid conservation network, which impedes construction
of large infrastructure, golf courses and resorts, despite the advice of the scientific community. Canarian
nature is now facing two threats: delisting and downgrading of numerous endangered species, and transfer
of the management of Canarian National Parks to the regional administration.
