Vale Carapito becomes Portugal's fifth Private Protected Area

Vale Carapito, in Sabugal, has been recognised as a Private Protected Area, joining Portugal's National Network of Protected Areas as only the fifth site nationwide to hold this status. Acquired in 2020, it was Rewilding Portugal's first rewilding site, spanning 48 hectares within the Malcata Special Conservation Zone. Since then it has hosted habitat restoration, natural grazing by Sorraia horses, and monitoring that recorded 172 plant, 253 insect and 147 vertebrate species. The classification still requires a management contract with ICNF and publication in the official gazette to take legal effect.