Spain looks to expand national park in the Pyrenees

A popular Spanish national park is about to become much larger.

Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition has announced plans to expand Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park in the Spanish Pyrenees.

Located in Catalonia, the park is famous for its gorgeous mountain scenery, glacial lakes, and abundant wildlife. Spain’s government says it wants to expand the park by more than 16%, adding some 2,259 hectares to its boundaries in a bid to enhance ecological quality and ecosystem connectivity for the benefit of the park’s wildlife.

In addition to the 16%+ increase in expanse, Spain’s government aims to declare a further surrounding 3,577 hectares as a zone of special protection. The expanded park and addition of a protective zone will create an ecological conservation region some 43,500 hectares in size.

Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park is home to brown bears, bearded vultures, boreal owls, and a host of other species. Mountain valleys and glacial lakes serve as important habitat for threatened species.

The proposed expansion has yet to be confirmed. The early November announcement marks the first step toward a process that will ultimately culminate in a decision by parliament.