Sorraia Horse Nature Reserve

Category: Nature > Nature Reserve

District: Santarém > Alpiarça > Alpiarça

Location

Located in Alpiarça, in the heart of Ribatejo, the Sorraia Horse Nature Reserve is set within a rural and pastoral landscape, with the characteristic plains of this Portuguese region. The location offers a tranquil and spacious environment, typical of the interior, conducive to observing nature and its inhabitants.

The Sorraia Horse: An Ancestral Species

At the center of the Sorraia Horse Nature Reserve lives one of the rarest and oldest equine species in the world: the Sorraia Horse. Considered the primitive wild horse of the Southern Iberian Peninsula, its presence is a living testament to the region's natural history. The space plays a crucial role in the conservation of this species, housing a significant portion of the global population, which numbers only a few hundred. Observing these unique animals in their adapted natural habitat allows for an encounter with their ancestral characteristics.

Conservation Sanctuary and Habitat

Spanning 36 hectares, this site offers a vast space where nature manifests itself in its fullness, essential for the safeguarding of such a unique species. The history of Sorraia Horse conservation in Alpiarça dates back almost a century, establishing this location as a landmark in the species' preservation. The work carried out here is the result of a continuous commitment to the conservation of the Sorraia Horse's genetic heritage, a species at risk of extinction.

The Natural Environment of the Reserve

Visitors can explore trails that extend through extensive areas of pine trees and wetlands, enjoying a pastoral environment that mirrors the ideal ecosystem for the Sorraia Horse. This natural sanctuary is designed to allow the horses to roam freely, in conditions that replicate their ancestral way of life as closely as possible, providing an immersive experience in their ecosystem.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt