The fauna in the park is very plentiful, with a large number of species, which is why this constitutes an excellent relictual example of the medium-altitude Mediterranean mountain ecosystems. From a very general standpoint, the main factors producing this situation may be considered to be firstly the physical and geomorphological characteristics of the zone, which have given rise to the existence of different environmental units (sunny areas with a prevalence of undergrowth, pine groves, kermes oaks, narrow ravines etc); and secondly, human activity over the years (hunting, farming uses, etc.) which has in some cases meant a reduction in the presence or disappearance of certain species, but in other cases has facilitated the expansion of species by creating new areas such as the farm fields and pastureland (bovalares) respectively.
Due to the particular geographical situation, La Tinença is a confluence for several migratory channels used over the last glaciations to both the south and the north. This has meant that the vertebrate fauna in this zone is characterized by including species proper to more northerly environments at the same time as others typical of regions lying further to the south. The most diverse group of vertebrates, the one giving La Tinença the greatest value in the Valencian Community is that of birds. First of all the large group of birds of prey nesting in the area should be stressed. There are golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) and short-toed eagles (Circaetus gallicus), peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) and above all griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus). As for other groups of birds we should stress the presence of riverbank birds, such as the Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) and the white-throated dipper (Cinclus cinclus), and high-mountain distribution passeriformes (Anthus campestris, Prunella modularis, Monticola saxatilis, Sylvia borin, Phylloscopus collybita, Regulus ignicapillus, Sitta europaea, Loxia curvirostra, Emberiza hortulana).
Although the birds are the most significant group of creatures in the area, the most representative animal species in the park is the Spanish wild goat or Ibex (Capra pyrenaica) since it has the largest population in the Valencian Community here. One should also underline the presence of some species of bats associated with forest and mountain habitats such as Myotis emarginata, Hypsugo savii, Plecotus austriacus, as well as a wide range of carnivores as the genet (Genetta genetta), mountain wild cat (Felis silvestris) and stone marten (Martes foina) and above all an excellent community of game ungulates, since apart from the plentiful mountain goats (Capra pyrenaica) there are also many specimens of boar (Sus scrofa), to which the roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) has recently been added, both by expansion from Teruel and thanks to the specimens reintroduced by the Conselleria de Medi Ambient, Aigua, Urbanisme i Habitatge.
There is not a great range of fish due to the lack of water habitats, through we should stress the very scanty presence of barbel (Barbus haasi) and French nase (Chondrostoma miegii). Amphibians are well represented. Small springs and drinking troughs, as well as the Sénia and Cervol rivers, constitute an optimal habitat for a wide range of amphibians. Common toad (Bufo bufo) can also be found far of water spots. It is also remarkable the presence of the rare Iberian ribbed newt (Pleurodeles waltl). There is a greater variety of reptiles, which include the wall lizard (Podarcis muralis) and European smooth snake (Coronella austriaca), both with high-mountain distribution and which have relictual populations here. The only chelonidonium with confirmed presence is the Spanish terrapin (Mauremys leprosa), although in the neighbouring Catalan county of Montsià there are specimens of Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni).
Invertebrates are also represented with species of great interest, like the Graellsia butterfly (Graellsia isabellae) and the native river crab (Austropotamobius pallipes), whose presence has motivated the declaration of two Fauna reserves destinated to protect both species. Their positon can be seen at cartographic finder of the Generalitat Valenciana.
The Barranc del Salt Fauna Reserve is designed to protect the native river crab population (Austropotamobius pallipes) whose survival is threatened by the introduction of the American red river crab (Procambarus clarkii) an invasive alien species. The reserve includes the surroundings of the waterfall and is overlaped with a Flora Micro-reserve which protects several habitats and plant species.
The Mas del Peraire Fauna Reserve is situated on the lands owned by the Enrique Montoliu Foundation, it overlaps partially with two Flora Micro-reserves of similar name. It is notable the presence of the endangered graellsia butterfly (Graellsia isabellae) and the distinct and variated birds of prey inhabiting the reserve. In this reserve hunting is totally prohibited.
Hunting and fishing
At the NaturalPark as well as its surrounding area affected by the Plan for the Organization of Natural Resources (PORN) hunting and fishing is permitted, except in the Mas del Peraire hunting reserve, where hunting is totally prohibited. Hunting and fishing are, however, regulated by the national and regional legislations. Naturally, it is prohibited to hunt or fish protected species, which includes all the birds of prey and some vertebrates, like wild mountain cats. Wild goats can be hunted only under supervision of the Environmental Officers and with determinate conditions. At the Ports de Tortosa i Beceit National Hunting Reserve, created by law 37/1966 of the 31st of May about National Hunting Reserves, hunting will be developed according to their specific regulations.
Hunting and fishing is developed in a way that guarantees the sustainable use of resources and the conservation of protected flora and fauna, as well as the permanence of the local agriculture, livestock farming and forest exploitation. Introduction or movement of live fauna must be authorized by the regional government.
It must be respected, in any case, the regulations specified at the Decreto 32/2004, of 27th of February, of the Valencian Government, for the creation and regulation of the Valencian Catalog of Protected Fauna Species, in which categories and norms for their protection are specified. Also by the Real Decreto 439/1990, of 30th of March, for the regulation of the National Catalog of Endangered Species and by the Real Decreto 1095/1989, of 8th of September, in which species suitable for hunting and fishing are listed. Specific norms for particular fauna species must be respected too.