huntingHUNTING in Spain could be on its way out as fewer aficionados rush to renew their shooting licences, with Andalucia leading the way.

A total of 2,936 permisos in the region lapsed without renewal in 2016, much higher than in Madrid (1,803) and Cataluña (1,423), the other top regions with fewest renewals.

Andalucia also topped the rankings for most license applications denied, at 1,377, ahead of Catalunya (587) and Castilla-La Mancha (412).

The government released the figures following pressure by politicians to better regulate the industry but did not explain why the falls had occurred.

Animal rights group AnimaNaturalis heralded the fall in renewals, which it believes is down to ‘growing awareness and empathy’ of animal rights among young people.

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