The introduction in the natural environment of these two Bonelli’s eagles, a species in danger of extinction, has been carried out through the technique of ‘ parenting campestre or hacking ‘ which consists in the temporary maintenance of the two chickens in a cage of loose, after their Radiodialing with satellite emitters, as reported in the press release the board.
In this way it is possible to “complete their development and get used to the area of release, for their definitive later release once they fully develop plumage and flight capacity”, explained the provincial Director of agriculture, Environment and Rural Development, José Luis Rojo Braojos, who has attended the release of these two specimens.
In this way and for a few days the two young Bonelli’s Eagles will continue to be fed and controlled remotely by personnel dependent on the counseling, “to verify that their process of adaptation to the natural environment is produced normally,” said Red Braojos.
The two chickens, which were born in captivity in a natural way last March from two adult specimens irretrievable to life in freedom for their injuries, have been bred since their exit from the shell by their parents to prevent them from getting used to the Human presence.
And at the approximate age of 50 days is when they have been transferred to the installation of ‘ hacking ‘, built by specialized counseling personnel in an area of Montes de Toledo with favorable habitat for this species, for their definitive release.
“Irreversible injuries”
The two adult breeding specimens entered years ago in the CERI of Sevilleja with irreversible injuries to their return to nature, due to electrocution in the case of the male and a traumatism in the female, and since then have been cared for by the CERI staff.
José Luis Rojo Braojos has congratulated the professionals of the CERI “for all his great work in the recovery of threatened species and, especially, for having achieved for the first time this important success of natural reproduction in captivity of the Bonelli’s Eagle” .
“An achievement that has been made possible by the excellent care that the two adult specimens receive at the center and that have allowed their serious injuries have not been an impediment to reproduce naturally and raise their chicks,” added Rojo Braojos.
Recovery PLAN of the Bonelli’s Eagle
The Bonelli’s eagle is a species threatened and regressing globally, due to the high mortality of specimens, especially juveniles and subadults, mainly caused by electrocution in electrical lines and, in some areas, due to the Direct persecution, discomfort in their nests or lack of food.
In this sense, the provincial director recalled that last December was approved the Plan of recovery of the Bonelli’s Eagle “that includes various measures to reduce the mortality of the species, to ensure the conservation of its habitat and to delimit the Sensitive areas and critical areas, in order to promote the survival of this species in the province and the rest of the region.
The main measures envisaged in the Plan are the modification of dangerous electrical lines; Surveillance actions to prevent human persecution, the plundering of nests or the illegal use of poisoned baits.
In addition to the control and health monitoring of the reproductive population, as well as measures to promote the conservation of the habitat of the species and the existence of its prey, mainly, the rabbit of Monte, in the areas where it is scarce.
Likewise, the plan envisages the possibility of establishing aid or promoting agreements of collaboration with the owners of the land that collaborate with the execution of the plan, besides with naturist associations that work in the conservation of the species, as well as To constitute the mechanisms of cooperation and coordination that are necessary with other autonomous communities that develop similar plans and with the competent ministry.
Delimitation of territories
As regards the delimitation of territories and within the province of Toledo, the Plan marks as ‘ critical areas ‘ for the conservation of the Bonelli’s Eagle the Tiétar Valley and the reservoirs of Rosarito and Navalcán, the Montes de Toledo, the Sierra de San Vicente , the Barrancas de Talavera, the Yesares of the Tagus valley.
In addition to other areas, banks and slopes of the Tagus and Guadiana rivers, which are also included in the areas of special protection for birds (ZEPA), in addition to the canyon of Arroyo de Guajaraz, in the municipality of Toledo, and Montrueque, in the municipal district of Santa Cruz de la Zarza.
Likewise, in what affects the province of Toledo, are considered ‘ zones of dispersion ‘ for the juvenile population of the Eagle Partridge the steppe area of the right bank of the river Guadarrama, the Sotos of the river Alberche, as well as the valleys of the Tiétar and Alberche, besides Of a detailed list of natural partial zones belonging to more than 50 municipal terms toledos.
