Dehesa: Forest of the Iberian Lynx: A miracle of Iberia

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If we spread out a world map and turn our eyes to the Iberian Peninsula, we will find a landscape that seems to have stepped out of an ancient painting. Covering more than 3.1 million hectares across central and southern Spain and extending into Portugal, this area is known as the “Dehesa.” To outsiders, it may appear to be nothing more than vast grasslands dotted with ancient oak trees. But for naturalists, it is often described as the “Spanish Serengeti,” as it conceals a remarkably intricate and unusual ecosystem—one of the oldest in Europe.

Within this diversity, there are certain key characters that the documentary Dehesa: Forest of the Iberian Lynx brings into special focus.

ภาพจากสารคดี Dehesa: Forest of the Iberian Lynx แมวยักษ์แห่งเดเฮซา

As the title suggests, we must begin with the Iberian lynx—an elusive species that the IUCN once classified as “the world’s most endangered large carnivore” and “the last endemic species of its kind in Europe.” Yet, just over two decades later, its population has risen to more than 2,000 individuals, and in 2024 its status was upgraded from “endangered” to “vulnerable.” In the language of conservationists, this is truly major good news.

However, this documentary is not solely about the lynx. In fact, it tells the story of the land that sustains it—the intricate system of predators and prey, the changing seasons, rain and drought, rabbits, eagles, and even color-changing crab spiders. Every living creature plays a role in maintaining the richness of this ecosystem.

In the Dehesa, rabbits are not merely prey—they can be seen as the “engineers” of the ecosystem. Their grazing helps regulate plant growth, and the burrows they dig become shelters for other small animals. In the logic of the Dehesa, “no rabbits, no lynx,” because the Iberian lynx prefers rabbit meat above all other food. If a mongoose or fox dares to appear and compete for the same prey, the lynx will kill it immediately without hesitation.

ภาพจากสารคดี Dehesa: Forest of the Iberian Lynx แมวยักษ์แห่งเดเฮซา

The area is also patrolled by eagles—at least three species. The first is the Short-toed Eagle, which has just crossed back from Africa via the Strait of Gibraltar. The second is Bonelli’s eagle, a resident predator known for its speed and ruthlessness. The third is the Iberian Imperial Eagle, the largest endemic species, whose mere shadow is enough to send animals below into a state of fear.

This documentary is filled with stunning scenes of life, filmed in 4K with Dolby Atmos sound. The production team spent 26 months exploring across Andalusia, Extremadura, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, and into Portugal. Beyond aerial shots that reveal the vastness of the Dehesa, the film also dives down to ground level to capture a microscopic world invisible to the naked eye. One of the most memorable scenes features a crab spider that changes its body color to blend seamlessly with flowers, becoming an invisible predator—even when its prey is nearly twice its size.

The director, Joaquín Gutiérrez Acha, began his career as a nature magazine photographer before teaching himself documentary filmmaking, eventually being entrusted to direct projects for National Geographic. He previously gained recognition with Guadalquivir (2013), which was nominated for a Goya Award, and Cantábrico (2017). In 2019, he received the BBVA Foundation Award for Biodiversity Conservation and is a member of the International Association of Wildlife Filmmakers (IAWF).

Dehesa was nominated for Best Documentary at the Cinema Writers Circle Awards in Spain in 2021, before reaching international audiences through Terra Mater Studios and being screened at wildlife film festivals around the world.

ภาพจากสารคดี Dehesa: Forest of the Iberian Lynx แมวยักษ์แห่งเดเฮซา

▶ ติดตามสารคดี Dehesa: Forest of the Iberian Lynx แมวยักษ์แห่งเดเฮซา - เดเฮซา (Dehesa) คือขุมทรัพย์ที่ซ่อนเร้นของคาบสมุทรไอบีเรีย บางครั้งถูกขนานนามว่า “ซาวันน่าแห่งสเปน” เป็นทุ่งหญ้าโบราณอันกว้างใหญ่ที่แต่งแต้มไปด้วยไม้ใหญ่กระจายตัวอยู่ทั่วบริเวณ แมวป่าลายจุดไอบีเรียผู้ลึกลับคืบคลานในเงามืด นกอินทรีน่าเกรงขามโฉบเวหา และหมู่มวลดอกไม้ป่าแสนสดใสบังตาเหล่านักล่าผู้พรางตัวได้แนบเนียนราวกับสลายหายไปในพริบตา

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