- Eight cattle have been released: one bull and seven cows. More will be introduced gradually, and it is hoped they will breed on the estate
- They represent a valuable asset in the natural preservation of the environment
- They will clear the land and help prevent fires.
Eight Mallorcan breed cattle—one bull and seven cows—are the newest residents of the Galatzó Public Estate. They come from the Pau Canals farm in Son Bugadelles, Calvià, and were introduced thanks to an agreement signed between the Town Hall and the Associació de Pagesos per la Terra (Farmers for the Land Association). This marks another step in the agricultural recovery of the estate, making it viable and an example of traditional farming practices. The cows, tracked by GPS, will contribute to the natural clearing of the surrounding woodland. The Mallorcan breed was chosen for its native characteristics, hardiness, and adaptability. This is the first step in an introduction plan that will be extended over time.
The introduction of the cows in Galatzó adds to the existing sheep, donkey, and pig population on the property. There are also beehives and apiculture activity of great environmental value. For Juan Thomás, Deputy Mayor of the municipality, this is a commitment to "reviving agricultural activity in Galatzó and restoring the estate to its former glory, as it was in our grandparents' time. We want our children and senior citizens to visit it and for it to become a model of what Calvià's estates should be."
Extensive cattle farming in Mediterranean natural environments plays a key role in maintaining the ecosystem and conserving the landscape. Grazing, as part of traditional livestock farming, offers various environmental benefits such as preventing forest fires through natural clearing and biomass consumption, maintaining the landscape and open habitats, conserving biodiversity, and fertilizing the soil. This requires a suitable livestock density that is sustainable and adapted to the ecosystem's regeneration capacity.
The released animals have been previously trained. They wear GPS collars that indicate where they can graze. This guides them through the different areas of the property.
The Galatzó Public Estate is under the stewardship of the Associació de Pagesos per la Terra (Farmers for the Land Association), based in the municipality, thanks to an agreement signed with the Town Hall. Stewardship is an environmental conservation strategy based on voluntary collaboration and a signed agreement between the landowner and an entity, usually an association, foundation, or other non-profit organization. Through this specific agreement, the Associació de Pagesos per la Terra (Farmers for the Land Association) manages the dryland crops and livestock on the property.
Pau Canals, president of the association, hopes to introduce more animals and that those recently released at the Ses Sínies viewpoint will breed: "The Mallorcan breed of cow is adapted to this environment, and I'm already estimating that there will be a hundred on the property."
Meanwhile, Amadip-Esment manages the social aspects, the gardens, and the irrigated orchard and fruit trees. Currently, the Town Hall's Environment Department is working to put out on tender the development of a forestry plan. This plan will define in detail the strategy to be followed for the recovery of arable land, centuries-old olive trees, and the traditional terraced fields—in short, everything that makes up the agricultural landscape of the property.
During this legislative term, the Galatzó Public Estate has regained prominence in the Calvià community, hosting summer camps for local children, workshops, and health-related activities, along with the revitalised 'Pancaritat' (a local religious event), and municipal events. Its role as a sanctuary for protected species has also been strengthened through the reintroduction of tortoises—at the Moorish Tortoise Rescue Centre, managed in collaboration with the Balearic Government and the Consortium for the Recovery of Wildlife of the Balearic Islands (COFIB)—and specimens of barred eagles, also known as Bonelli's eagles.
The Galatzó Public Estate was acquired by the Town Hall in 2006. It borders the municipalities of Puigpunyent, Estellencs, and Andratx. With its nearly 2,000 cuarteradas (a local unit of land measurement), it covers an area of 14 million square meters, approximately 10 percent of the total area of the municipality of Calvià. In addition to its environmental and agricultural value, it has the architectural complex of "ses cases de Galatzó" which are in the process of restoration and modernisation.
