Neglected Heritage Site in Tenerife Secured After Illegal Animal Breeding Discovery

The decline of historic buildings in the Canary Islands has come into focus once again following recent events at 28 Febles Campos Street in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Local reports confirm that the owners have finally boarded up the property after police intervened to stop its illegal use as a clandestine breeding center for various animals, including birds of prey.

This building is officially listed as a protected heritage site, but its current state highlights a common problem with vacant housing: the gap between owning a property and maintaining it. Because the owners live outside the islands, the building was left abandoned after the original owners passed away, eventually becoming a source of crime and decay. After months of trying to track down the owners, the City Council’s Urban Planning Department finally forced them to secure the site.

Beyond the issues caused by illegal occupation, the building is in such poor condition that the city has had to install a perimeter fence. This is a safety measure to protect pedestrians from falling debris, a direct result of the century-old structure being left to rot. This case highlights how fragile protected buildings become when owners fail to meet their legal maintenance obligations. It also shows the limited power local authorities have to prevent the permanent loss of the island's architectural history when private property rights are not balanced with the duty of care.