Portugal: Wild Land on the Edge

Discover the wildlife and landscapes of Portugal, shaped by its history as a global trading hub. From forest to coast, witness the majesty of the country’s wild horses, storks, monk seals, flamingos and more.

The Mediterranean and the coastal waters of North Africa and western Europe were once home to hundreds of thousands of Mediterranean monk seals. These days just 300 or so remain. Over centuries they have been hunted to the brink of extinction.

The stars of Portugal's only national park are not newcomers. Wild Garrano horses have lived in the Peneda-Gerês mountains of northern Portugal for 20,000 years.

When a piece of carrion is spotted on this side of the border, griffon, black, and bearded vultures descend en masse. A strict ranking system applies at the carcass, but one visitor turns up without an invitation.