Fourteen European adventurers joined a conservation mission in the Spanish Pyrenees, marking the next phase of their journey in the Defender Trophy 2026. In collaboration with the Foundation for the Conservation of the Bearded Vulture (FCQ), the event combines an unstoppable capability with vital environmental action.
For this European activation, the finalists travel to the medieval town of Aínsa, in Huesca, where one of FCQ’s most emblematic bases is located. Here they participate directly in initiatives aimed at protecting the Bearded Vulture, an endangered species. The activities include a visit to the Eco Museum of Pyrenean Fauna and the carrying out of essential maintenance work at a feeding station for scavenger birds, culminating in live observation of their feeding.
This essential FCQ work goes beyond protecting a single species. It contributes to a sustainable cycle that promotes local biodiversity, supports rural ecotourism, and actively reduces emissions by eliminating the need to transport animal by-products.
After fieldwork, the Trophy finalists head to the remote Monte Perdido Biological Station, in Revilla, located in the Ordesa and Monte Perdido National Park. This facility serves as an environmental education center and housing for researchers. FCQ experts introduce the participants to the rich biodiversity of the Pyrenees and the long-standing partnership between the NGO and Defender, initiated in 2000.
Defender vehicles are essential tools in FCQ’s daily work. Their all-terrain capability allows access to remote nesting and monitoring sites in the mountains, enabling the foundation to carry out rescue, rehabilitation, and community awareness operations.
FCQ has achieved notable results, contributing to the recovery of the Bearded Vulture population, which rose from only 35 breeding pairs in 1995 to over 190 today. Nearby, the foundation annually develops “hacking” programs, a process that involves raising chicks without human contact. This captive-breeding method enables the successful reintroduction of the species into other mountain ranges from which it had previously disappeared, including the Sierra de Gredos, the Picos de Europa, and the Iberian System.
Max Ferrer, representing Spain, declares: “Hands-on experience with FCQ in the Pyrenees brings to life Defender’s conservation objective. We are not merely exploring this incredible landscape; we are also actively working to protect it. Observing the Bearded Vultures and understanding the dedication required to save them is a striking experience that allows us to understand much more deeply what Defender represents.”
The participants secured their places after overcoming the Defender Trophy European qualifiers, held in June, in Les Comes, Spain. Competitors from across the continent faced demanding physical trials, extreme off-road driving challenges, and complex tests of ingenuity to demonstrate their resilience and team spirit.
The Defender Trophy gathers competitors from more than 50 countries. Inspired by iconic expedition events of the past, it centers on an epic adventure with a greater purpose. The World Final in 2026, in Africa, is organized in collaboration with Tusk, Defender’s conservation partner for 20 years. The teams will face real conservation challenges, providing essential mobility in remote terrains and leaving a lasting legacy among the people and in the places they encounter.
