• Less than 1% of Tablas de Daimiel remains as lagoons • Fires burning underground as illegal wells dry out peat

The EU has begun an investigation into a unique Spanish wetland park that is being devastated by underground fires.

Local officials have admitted that mismanaged water resources at the Tablas de Daimiel national park may never recover. "We are on the point of losing the Tablas de Daimiel," said Josep Puxeu, Spain's secretary for state for water.

With less than 1% of the park now covered by water, layers of underground peat have dried out and have started to spontaneously ignite. ...

Read the whole story on Environment: Wildlife | guardian.co.uk