Isla de Lobos

It is an islet of about 6 km² of surface and 13.7 km of coastline, located 2 km northeast of Fuerteventura and 8 km south of Lanzarote, islands separated by the Bocaina Strait. The islet can be seen clearly from Corralejo, the nearest town. The channel that separates Fuerteventura de Lobos, whose depth does not exceed 10 meters, is known as «El Río» or «Paso de la Orchilla» .1 Its name is due to the fact that in the past, monk seals or friar of the Mediterranean inhabited the island (also known as sea lions), now in danger of extinction. The fishermen eliminated the species, since they thought that their voracity reduced the marine resources of the area. Each of these animals needs between 30 and 40 kilograms of fish a day. Reintroduction efforts of sea lions are being made, despite fishermen's refusal. The small island is fully protected and forms the Islote de Lobos Natural Park. It houses more than 130 plant species and several bird species, highlighting the seagull, the bustard (at certain times of the year) and the cinderella shear. The seabed is an underwater reserve area and contains a great ecological wealth. Its maximum height is located in La Caldera, also known as El Filo La Herradura, 127 meters high.