Every year Spanish herdsmen lead flocks of sheep through downtown Madrid’s exclusive, tree-lined boulevards and luxury store-filled avenues to protest the loss of ancient grazing routes threatened by urban sprawl and manmade frontiers. This year they were joined by 1,200 sheep and a number of colorfully attired shepherds from 32 countries who had been taking part in a world gathering of nomad and transhumance shepherds.
Around the world, grazing rights are increasingly endangered by modern development. In Spain ancient routes are protected by law, however modern life including housing developments, highways and railways have eroded time-honored paths.
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