Savage Islands

The Savage Islands, also called the Selvagens Islands, are a small group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean. They belong to Portugal and are found 280 kilometres (175 miles) south of Madeira and 165 kilometres (105 miles) north of the Canary Islands. The group includes two main islands, Selvagem Grande and Selvagem Pequena, along with many small islets and reefs. All together, they cover just 2.73 square kilometres (1.05 square miles).

These islands are very important for nature, especially for birds. In 1971, they were made a natural reserve to protect the birds that nest there, like the Cory's shearwater. Because of this, the government works hard to keep the birds and the ocean around the islands safe. There are very few people living there today. Only a small group of workers and scientists stay on Selvagem Grande year-round to take care of the reserve. Sometimes, two workers also stay on Selvagem Pequena from May until October. In May 2016, a science trip from the National Geographic Society helped expand the area of ocean that is protected around the islands.

Geography

The Savage Islands are part of Macaronesia, a group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean near Europe and close to Morocco in North Africa. They are about 255 km from Madeira and 176 km from the Canary Islands.

These islands cover a total area of 2.73 km² (1.05 sq mi). They have very little fresh water and are surrounded by reefs, which makes it hard to reach them. The archipelago has two main islands and several smaller ones, split into two groups about 15 km apart.

Climate

The Savage Islands have a mild and warm climate, similar to a subtropical desert. Temperatures stay fairly steady throughout the year, with summer days around 25–27 °C (77–81 °F) and winter days around 21–23 °C (70–73 °F). Nights are cooler, especially in winter.

Because the islands are small and lack tall mountains, they receive little rain. The nearby ocean and currents help shape the weather. Sometimes winds can bring warmer, drier air or heavier rain to the islands.

Fauna and flora

The Savage Islands are very special because of their plants and animals. The islands and the water around them have many different kinds of sea life and birds. Some of these animals and plants live only on these islands.

The islands are very important for birds. Many seabirds live there or stop there when they are flying long distances. The islands have the largest group of a special type of bird called Cory's shearwater in the world.

The water around the islands has many fish and other sea animals. Five kinds of sea turtles can be found there. There are also many kinds of whales and dolphins. Some of these sea animals are rare and need protection.

The islands also have interesting land animals, like special kinds of lizards and many tiny creatures that live on land. The plants on the islands are also unique, with over 100 different types. Some of these plants grow only on the Savage Islands.

History

Diogo Gomes de Sintra discovered the islands by chance in 1438. Before this, no humans had ever lived on the Savage Islands or the nearby Madeira archipelago. The Portuguese tried to settle the islands around this time, but not much is known about it.

The islands were used for collecting lichens for dyes, and later for gathering weeds, shells, and mollusks. People also hunted goats and rabbits there. In the mid-20th century, the islands became a nature reserve to protect the birds and other wildlife. Today, the islands are home to a few wardens who look after the reserve. The islands are also sometimes visited by scientists.

Disputed territory

Portugal claims its exclusive economic zone extends south from the Savage Islands. Spain has disagreed with this in the past, arguing that the islands are too small to support such a zone. Over the years, there have been disputes between Portugal and Spain over issues like building a lighthouse, military flights, and fishing rights near the islands. In 2025, Portugal strengthened its laws to better protect the islands and their wildlife.