Rabbit Plague Devastates Thousands of Hectares in Madrid, Reaching the Capital: ‘They Don’t Eat, They Devour’
Madrid, April 20 – An alarming overpopulation of rabbits is wreaking havoc across thousands of hectares of agricultural land in the Madrid region, with the problem now extending into the capital. Farmers describe the situation as critical, stating, ‘They don’t eat, they devour,’ as these animals cause substantial damage to cereal and vineyard crops, raising significant health concerns.
Unprecedented Devastation and Rapid Proliferation
The presence of rabbits is increasingly noticeable in shrublands, cultivated fields, and even roundabouts in the north and southeast of Madrid. Ángel Luis, a 63-year-old veteran farmer from Fuente el Saz de Jarama, recounts, ‘They don’t hide; I see several on my plot every day.’ While rabbits have always posed occasional challenges to Madrid’s agricultural lands, the situation has dramatically worsened in the last three years, particularly in the eastern part of the region, demanding urgent solutions. ‘They don’t eat; they devour the entire plant. We’ve seen losses of up to 20% of the annual harvest,’ he adds.
In 2025, an estimated 14,000 hectares were destroyed by these animals. By early February of this year, the figure had already reached 1,400 hectares, according to Jesús Anchuelo, Secretary General of UPA Madrid. Anchuelo laments, ‘After hydrocarbons, the threat of wildlife is our biggest problem.’
Ángel Luis, who has farmed since he was 20, observes an extraordinary change in rabbit behavior. ‘In recent years, they have proliferated. Before, a litter would produce three or four offspring. Now, it’s up to eight. I’m not a biologist, but this isn’t normal,’ he insists, also noting an increase in their size and weight, from 600 grams to nearly two kilograms.
Challenges in Control and Insufficient Measures
January and February were particularly challenging months, with the Henares Corridor becoming one of the most affected areas. As cereal crops began to sprout, the agricultural sector’s concerns prompted the Community of Madrid to implement special captures on regional roads and manage permits in areas of national jurisdiction.
A significant factor contributing to the proliferation in this area is the extensive network of roads and railway infrastructures, where control is more difficult to maintain. ‘Hunting is not possible in this area. Therefore, until a few years ago, the Ministry of Transport was responsible for management, which they are no longer doing,’ explains Anchuelo. ASAJA Madrid also highlights the lack of cooperation from the Directorate General of Roads and Adif, responsible for these infrastructures.
Farmers are calling for additional measures, including authorization for night hunting and the use of traps. Currently, rabbit hunting is only permitted in authorized areas of 104 municipalities in five forest districts of the region during specific periods. However, this measure is considered ‘insufficient.’ Ángel Luis points out, ‘We are very limited because hunting lasts three days a week, and there are three people for the entire hunting ground.’ What was once a hobby has now become an ‘obligation’ for many farmers.
The Community of Madrid allows rabbit hunting only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in affected areas. ‘On weekdays, hunters are at their regular jobs, but some make an effort to come during the week,’ he adds.
At the end of February, an exceptional meeting of the Wild Fauna Board of the Community of Madrid approved an increase in hunting periods. ASAJA Madrid also proposed a pilot program for fertility control in peri-urban areas using specially formulated feed to assess its impact on population reduction.
Other proposed solutions include night operations, the introduction of predatory species like ferrets, and targeted actions in rabbit refuges, such as neglected streams, industrial estates, and abandoned shacks.
Public Health Concerns and Broader Wildlife Issues
Beyond crop losses, the agricultural sector is concerned about potential public health risks. During the first decade of this century, Madrid experienced a major leishmaniasis outbreak, affecting hundreds of people in the southwest, with rabbits and hares acting as reservoirs. ‘Many people walk in this area, especially in spring. We cannot forget that rabbits are disease carriers. The other day, we had an incident with a tick,’ Ángel Luis warns.
Rabbit burrows are visible in areas like Polvoranca Park in Leganés, underscoring the widespread nature of the problem. The overpopulation of rabbits and wild boars has become a significant challenge for the agricultural economy. In response, the Community of Madrid will introduce its first Hunting and Fishing Law, announced by regional president Isabel Díaz Ayuso, to control these animal excesses.
However, rabbits and wild boars are not the only wildlife species causing problems. ‘We also have a problem with pigeons. In Alcarria, legumes are no longer sown because they come and eat all the grain. In the Sierra Oeste, where chickpeas are sown, they are also affected by this other plague,’ notes Jesús Anchuelo. While not officially a ‘plague,’ pigeons are also highly concentrated in rural areas and have a noticeable presence in the capital.
