Blood Origins Unveils Eye-Opening Documentary:

December 19, 2024

The Fallout of Hunting Bans in Cabañeros National Park

Memphis, TN (December 19, 2024) /OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Blood Origins, a globally renowned organization dedicated to sharing the truth about hunting’s role in conservation, has released a compelling new documentary that sheds light on the ecological, social, and economic collapse following the hunting ban in Spain’s Cabañeros National Park.

This hard-hitting documentary reveals the real-world consequences of removing hunting as a tool for management in one of Spain’s most unique national parks, presenting a stark warning for governments and conservationists worldwide.

Cabañeros National Park is unlike any other national park in the world. Situated in one of Spain’s most rural regions, it is the least visited national park in Spain, and in fact all of Europe, and remains inaccessible to the general public. Locked behind a high fence, the only way to experience the park is by booking a guided safari tour. Notably, 42% of the park consists of private land, where landowners once had full autonomy to manage wildlife and habitat. To fund this management and maintain ecological balance, hunting was carefully regulated—until the Spanish government instituted a blanket hunting ban across all national parks, which included Cabañeros.

“Very rarely do you get an opportunity to see the effects of a hunting ban,” says Blood Origins’ founder, Robbie Kroger. “Cabañeros will be a test example for the world to see—a national park that is no longer fulfilling its ecological, social, and economic responsibilities, all because hunting was banned.”

The documentary paints a vivid picture of the fallout, describing how the hunting ban has led to job losses, economic instability in rural communities, and, most alarmingly, the degradation of wildlife populations and habitat health.

“I don’t know what the Spanish government thought would happen,” Kroger continues. “But the effects of the ban have been exactly what you’d expect—rural jobs lost, rural community economies affected, and most importantly, detrimental impacts on wildlife and habitats. This is the antithesis of what a national park should be doing!”

Cabañeros National Park is now facing an unprecedented challenge: without hunting as a source of revenue, private landowners lack the funding to manage the habitat effectively. This has resulted in ecological imbalance and left the park struggling to fulfill its purpose.

Blood Origins’ work highlights the critical role that regulated hunting plays in fostering biodiversity, maintaining balanced ecosystems, and supporting rural livelihoods. By focusing on Cabañeros as a case study, the film underscores the importance of holistic, science-based decision-making in conservation policies.

“When hunting bans are suggested, nobody considers the effect,” Kroger emphasizes. “The people instituting the bans simply want hunting to stop, without thought for the ripple effects—on people, rural economies, wildlife, and habitat health. Cabañeros is a disaster, and this documentary shows you exactly how and why.”

Blood Origins continues to challenge misconceptions about hunting through powerful storytelling, evidence-based insights, and a commitment to transparency. This documentary is a call to action for decision-makers worldwide to reconsider how conservation policies are implemented, ensuring they benefit both people and wildlife.

Watch the full documentary here

About Blood Origins
Blood Origins is a nonprofit organization dedicated to telling the story of hunting through meaningful content that bridges cultural divides, fosters conservation efforts, and connects people with the outdoors in ways that highlight the value of hunting beyond trophies and tradition.

For more information, or to watch the latest episode, visit bloodorigins.com.

For More Information, Contact:  Remick Smothers | remick@fordhamilton.com | 202-412-5300