Galicia's 'Goat-Cows' Tackle Wildfire Threat

In Spain's northwestern Galicia region, a centuries-old wildfire prevention technique is seeing a resurgence with the reintroduction of native livestock, including the unique "goat-cows." These animals are crucial for rebalancing ecosystems and mitigating wildfire risks in an area that suffered immensely in 2025, its worst year for fires.

The Cachena breed, Spain's smallest cow, was displaced by mass pine and eucalyptus plantations. However, community associations, prompted by a severe 2017 fire, have revived the practice of using native breeds like the Cachena, alongside goats and sheep, to graze on flammable undergrowth.

This initiative, supported by regional government incentives and low-cost bull provisions, has dramatically increased native livestock numbers. From just over 1,800 in the late 1990s, the population reached over 30,000 by early 2026, with Cachena cows increasing from 400 to approximately 8,000.

These Cachena, adapted to mountainous terrain and known for their varied diet, are fitted with GPS collars, eliminating the need for fences and allowing them to roam freely. This method helps keep vegetation at a manageable height, preventing it from becoming dangerously flammable, a problem exacerbated by climate change impacting southern Europe.

Galicia, with nearly 119,000 hectares burned last year, is actively employing this strategy alongside mechanical thinning and controlled burning. Other Spanish regions like Andalusia, Catalonia, and Castile-La Mancha are also adopting similar livestock-based fire prevention measures.