PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
For the first time, a specific programme of conservation measures for diverse core populations of the Bonelli’s eagle (Hieraætus fasciatus or Aquila fasciata) has been developed. The programme considers the north-western Mediterranean ‘metapopulation’ in Spain and the south of France as one and studies the relationships between the different populations. Spain is home to more than 65% of the European population, and for this reason the consolidation of the species here will impact greatly on its maintenance at European level.
OBJECTIVES
The present LIFE BONELLI project aimed to bring about the recovery of the Spanish population of Bonelli’s eagle, which is listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive. It would carry out a range protection measures at European, national and regional level. The project would focus on the implementation of the recovery programme developed for the Iberian Peninsula and Baleares. It would carry out actions to enhance populations in Madrid, Alava and Navarra, and to facilitate a reintroduction in Mallorca.
The project would be supported by local teams that would help to exchange individuals and share experiences, including on recovery opportunities. To improve such connections, a balanced consortium had been established, consisting of the main species recovery stakeholders.
Public administrations from the four regions (Navarra, Baleares, Álava and Madrid), would work together with the two international breeding centres for Bonelli’s eagle (GREFA & LPO). The consortium also included Andalucía, one of the main reserves for the species at a European level.
RESULTS
The LIFE BONELLI project contributed to the recovery of the population of Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) within the species’ distribution range in Spain. The project actions successful reinforced the population of the species in Navarra and Madrid, and reintroduced the species in the Balearic Islands. The project also led to improved conditions for key prey species, reduced the risk of electrocution and other threats (e.g. human disturbances, predation at hacking facilities), fine-tuned captivity breeding protocols, and actively involved key stakeholders.
Over the four years of the project, 92 Bonelli’s eagles were released. A stable population has been reintroduced on Mallorca Island and several breeding pairs were again established in traditional territories in the Iberian Peninsula.
Specifically, the project team’s main achievements were:
- Population reinforcement: a total of 67 individuals were released, distributed in the different areas: 36 individuals in the Madrid Region, 23 in Navarre, and 8 in Álava.
- Reintroduction in the Balearic Islands (Mallorca): a total of 25 individuals were reintroduced and 11 individuals have already born wild on the island (highly unusual considering the short project duration), giving at project closure 7 pairs established and 27 individuals.
- The feasibility study to check the Bonelli's eagle reintroduction in Mallorca, which concluded that the established population is self-sustainable and viable in the long term.
- Total number of individuals tagged and monitored (released and wild individuals tagged at nest): 128.
- 15 territories have been occupied by individuals managed in the project. In 13 out of 15 territories, at least one of the individuals was released by the project.
- At least 25% of the released individuals have occupied a territory for breeding purposes.
- At project closure, 12 territories remain actively occupied, with 13 wild-born chicks and 11 fledged throughout the project duration.
In addition, the project team development specific protocols and guidelines for the extraction of chicks from wild Bonelli's eagle populations, which are important tools to enable field workers to successfully handle these sensitive operations without causing negative impacts on donor populations. The methodological guide on the Bonelli's eagle captive breeding management and diet composition will enable other centres to apply the new dietary method, contributing to improved breeding success.
The project team raised awareness among relevant stakeholders (hunters, municipalities, climbers, landowners, electricity companies, and tourism operations) to bring them on board and collaborate with the project for the conservation of the species.
Electrocution was revealed to be the main cause of mortality for the species (41%). Though beyond the scope of this project, the beneficiaries made a huge effort to greatly reduce the risk of electrocution, especially in Madrid and Mallorca. They worked with regional governments and electricity companies to undertake the necessary corrective actions that should be promoted in the future.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and /After-LIFE Conservation Plan (see "Read more" section).
