The muskrat is an Iberian endemism to be found in the north of the Iberian peninsula and the south of France, and which is threatened and shows a marked decline. Little is known regarding the behaviour of this species and, therefore, there are no guidelines for creating ex situ conservation nuclei, in other words outside its natural habitat.

The Ilundáin Centre aims to take an initial step to establish the maintenance protocols for muskrats in captivity, directed at reproducing muskrats in captivity at our centre or at other recovery centres or zoos interested in the genetic conservation of this species.