Posted on December, 28 2013

Spain’s Coto Doñana is considered one of the most valuable wetlands in Europe; a sanctuary for millions of migratory birds, including many endangered species. Plans to dry out Doñana caught WWF’s attention in its early days and especially Dr Luc Hoffmann – a founder of WWF and a principal architect of the Ramsar Convention to protect the world’s priority wetlands. WWF’s purchase of the land in 1963 helped set the organization on the path to protect priority places and species around the world. In this 50th anniversary of the first steps to protect Doñana, WWF is working with local groups to confront new threats such as illegal wells drying out the wetland. WWF remains committed to ensure Doñana remains a vital stopover wetland for migratory birds well into the future.

Original article posted: 28.12.2013   Updated: 10.02.2014