Background The Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti), Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) and the black vulture (Aegypius monachus) are priority species under EU conservation legislation. Populations of these species breeding in Spain are under serious threat, mainly from habitat degradation, low availability of food resources, electrocution by power lines and poisoning or trapping. The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), the most threatened feline in the world, has populations that are also at risk as a result of habitat fragmentation and food scarcity (especially the decrease in rabbit populations). Many of the well-conserved areas suitable for the target species are private estates. Existing management plans and strategies are often not applied (or only partially applied) in these areas, due to a lack of interest or cooperation with land owners. There is a great opportunity to improve the conservation status of these species through appropriate land management and the implementation of specific measures in the region of Castilla-La Mancha, on both public and private land. Objectives The main aim of the Priorimancha project was to support and improve the conservation status of the Iberian lynx, the Spanish imperial eagle, Bonelli's eagle and the black vulture in Castilla-La Mancha, in Natura 2000 network sites. The project worked on private and public estates to promote the food resources of the target species (mainly rabbit), construct feeding sites for black vulture and other necrophagous raptors, reduce the impact of existing threats such as power lines, raise public awareness, and apply official management plans and strategies, for example, concerning methods for predator control and to reduce poisoning in the field. Results The Priorimancha project developed conservation actions aimed at four emblematic species of Castilla-La Mancha characteristic of Mediterranean scrubland with a high threat level: the Iberian lynx, Spanish imperial eagle, Bonelli’s eagle and the black vulture. These actions were performed in Natura 2000 network sites ( ‘Sierra Morena’; SACs ‘Montes de Toledo’, ‘Sierra de los Canalizos’, ‘Sierra del Relumbrar y Estribaciones de Alcaraz’; and ‘Áreas esteparias del campo de Montiel’) on public and private properties where collaboration agreements were signed between the property owners and the project beneficiaries. The project implemented direct conservation measures, improved conditions for rabbit populations (the key food species), increased knowledge of the target species, and drafted species’ recovery plans. The project team (DGMEN and partners GEACAM and Fundaciòn CBD-Habitat) signed collaboration agreements with 30 properties participating in the project, covering more than 60 000 ha within the Natura 2000 network that provides optimal habitat for the target species. This made it possible to carry out the conservation actions to improve habitat conditions and stabilise wild rabbit population densities, create shelters, and lease 3 342 ha of wild rabbit hunting rights. A total of 88 target birds individuals were marked, 36 with satellite emitters. These continue to provide detailed information regarding the distribution, use of space, dispersive movements, and the causes of unnatural deaths of the target species. This knowledge informed the drafting of updating Recovery Plans for the Iberian lynx, Spanish imperial eagle, black vulture and Bonelli’s eagle. To help implement these plans, the project organised eight training seminars aimed at environmental agents and field personnel of the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha. In 2009, the Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha approved the project’s Management Plan for the wild rabbit, as a tool for managing its populations in the region. The project also produced a genetic health map of the wild rabbit in Castilla-La Mancha. To reduce mortality due to dangerous power lines, 489 pylons were modified. An evaluation of the effectiveness of this action showed a 90% reduction in bird of prey deaths on those power lines. Five artificial feeding stations (middens) were built, which continue to be used by a high percentage of the reproductive population of black vulture and Spanish imperial eagle in Castilla-La Mancha, in addition to other carrion birds. These also result in cost savings in managing animal carcases on the project estates, making livestock holding more profitable. The project assessed the status of the Iberian lynx in the region. It had disappeared to the north of the Guadiana River, but after June 2011 several individuals coming from Andalusia were detected; by the end of the project at least one territory was colonised in Castilla-La Mancha. The majority of the individuals observed were located in the properties collaborating with the project. A total of 36 predator control courses were conducted, with an attendance of 448 participants related to 136 properties, including an explanation of the ‘Collarum’ trapping method. The Regional Government of Castilla-La Mancha approved the trapping methods that can be used legally. Two guides on predation management were edited and distributed during the courses. In addition, 27 seminars against the illegal use of poison (10 in collaboration with the LIFE project VenenoNo) were organised in 2012. The project undertook a range of other dissemination activities, including an International Congress on the wild rabbit, a website, technical articles and media appearances. By the end of the project, the situation for Spanish imperial eagle and black vulture was notably improved, Bonelli’s eagle remains stable, and a recolonisation by the Iberian lynx was observed in the region, with reintroductions started from a captive breeding programme within the framework of another LIFE project (Iberlince). Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).