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Date Published: 02/05/2025

Electric fence and trained dogs to keep Barbary sheep out of Lorca Castle

The animals have been damaging irrigation systems and gardens at the historic site

Authorities in Lorca are stepping up efforts to stop Barbary sheep from getting into the grounds of the city’s famous castle, the Fortaleza del Sol. The wild animals have been jumping over the walls in search of food, damaging not only the gardens but also the irrigation systems and electrical installations inside the historic enclosure.

The drought earlier this year turned the well-kept grounds of the castle into an irresistible green haven for the aoudads, also known as Atlas mouflons, which normally live in the nearby area of El Cejo de los Enamorados. Drawn by the fresh grass and water provided by drip irrigation, they made regular visits to the site, causing increasing concern among staff and conservation teams.

March rains eventually pushed the animals back into the mountains, where natural food sources returned. Their presence around the monument has dropped off in recent weeks, with fewer sightings by walkers around the castle and El Cejo.

To prevent the problem from returning, Lorca City Council has asked the regional Ministry of the Environment to step in. A two-stage plan is now in place. First, staff from Lorca Taller del Tiempo will alert officials when sheep are spotted nearby, and specially trained dogs will be used to scare them off. If this proves ineffective, the second stage will involve installing an electrified fence around the slope of the castle.

“This fence will give a light shock, but it’s totally harmless,” explained Councillor for Culture Santiago Parra.

“It will create both a physical and psychological barrier, as the animals will remember the shock and stay away.”

The aim is to protect recent and future planting efforts around the castle. As part of a wider restoration project to improve the appearance and sustainability of the monument, more than 1,500 shrubs and bushes have already been planted along the slopes and within the castle grounds. The work is part of a €140,000 scheme under the Sustainable Tourism Destination Plan, funded by the EU's Next Generation funds. According to Parra, the final stage of replanting is expected to go ahead in September, now that conditions are right.

The Council is also keeping an eye on traffic safety. A dozen warning signs were placed on nearby roads last year, after reports of Barbary sheep crossing into traffic near the castle.

Image: Archive

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