Spanish shepherds lead 5,000 sheep through Madrid

MADRID -- Spanish shepherds are leading flocks of sheep through the streets of downtown Madrid in defense of ancient grazing, migration and droving rights threatened by urban sprawl and man-made frontiers.

Jesus Garzon, president of a shepherds council established in 1273, said some 5,000 sheep and 60 cattle are crossing the city Sunday to exercise the right to droving routes that existed before Madrid grew from a rural hamlet to the great capital it is today.

Following an age-old tradition, a chief herdsman paid 25 maravedis -- coins from the 11th century -- to use the crossing, Garzon said.

Shepherds have a right to use 78,000 miles (125,000 kilometers) of paths for seasonal livestock migrations from cool highland pastures in summer to warmer grazing in winter.

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