PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The conservation programme for the Iberian imperial eagle in Extremadura was a six-year project from Sep1992-Jan 1999, funded in three phases. The three LIFE projects LIFE92 NAT/E/014303, LIFE94 NAT/E/004825 and LIFE95 NAT/E/001150 actually refer to three phases of the same project.
The starting point for the project in 1992 was that the imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) was an endangered species included in Annex I of the Birds Directive. Spain contained the only remaining breeding population of the species, with 147 nesting pairs distributed across five autonomous regions: Castilla-La Mancha; Castile and León; Extremadura; Madrid; and Andalusia.
The eagle's preferred habitat is Mediterranean woodland of evergreen oaks, including cork oak (Quercus suber), alternating with pasture land where rabbits - one of the eagle’s main preys - are abundant. The main threats to eagle conservation were identified as: habitat destruction; a high pre-adult mortality caused by electrocution on electric power lines and poisoning; and a drop in rabbit populations, due to the high incidence of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease.
This LIFE project on the Iberian imperial eagle took place as part of an overall strategy with a coordinated set of actions across the five autonomous communities where the imperial eagle is found. The five regional governments agreed a Coordinated Recovery Plan to guide their work. This project should therefore be seen in conjunction with the concurrent projects in the regions of Andalusia (LIFE92 NAT/E/014300), Castilla-La-Mancha (LIFE92 NAT/E/014301), Castile and León (LIFE92 NAT/E/014302) and Madrid (LIFE92 NAT/E/014304).
OBJECTIVES
This project aimed to combat the main threats affecting the imperial eagle in Extremadura. As agreed in the Coordinated Recovery Plan for the five regions, the proposed measures focused on recovery and conservation of its habitat, reduction in mortality and an increase in rabbit populations.
The key interventions planned in Extremadura were:
rental of valuable areas,
management and recovery of feeding areas through restocking with wild rabbits, construction of breeding facilities (artificial burrows) and improvement of pasture land
modification of supports and insulation of electric power lines - the primary cause of non-natural mortality for the target species
A key objective was to monitor the population, its distribution, mortality, nesting areas and breeding success in order to identify and subsequently avoid human disturbances and provide supplementary feeding to breeding pairs when necessary.
Finally, a set of awareness actions were planned particularly targeting those groups, such as landowners and hunters, whose actions could directly or indirectly harm the target species.
RESULTS
The project for conservation of the imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) in Extremadura increased understanding of the bird, its needs and the specific threats facing it. It marked an important step in the development of improved measures for the conservation of this species. Significantly, it helped maintain the stability of the regional population despite increased threats from poisoning.
Up to eighteen trained and equipped wardens monitored imperial eagles across 400 000 ha, divided into about 50 areas. Supported by a radio-tracking programme of 11 juveniles, this significantly increased data on eagle dispersal, causes of non-natural mortality and preferred feeding areas. Some of the project actions were carried out in 1 400 ha of land leased to the project, in an area with great value to the imperial eagle.
The wardens monitored the major threats to the eagle, particularly problems along power lines, and illegal trapping (snares) and use of poison in hunting areas. This informed implementation of corrective measures on 4 726 pylons and the installation of 3 197 anti-collision signals on 62 lines (201 km). The major effort was concentrated in the two best nesting areas for the species: Monfragüe Natural Park (about 11 pairs; and 11 lines modified); and Sierra de San Pedro (about 20 pairs; 17 lines modified).
Measures aimed at improving food availability for the eagle included construction of around 915 artificial burrows and the improvement of rabbits’ preferred pastureland habitat through clearance of bushes over 611 hectares, ploughing of 200 hectares, sowing of 190 ha, construction of 32 ponds and protecting 20 areas for rabbit breeding with fences. The project restocked 9 018 rabbits and 2 492 red-legged partridges to the project areas.
Supplementary feeding, used only in cases of real food shortage, demonstrated its efficacy in reducing mortality rates in chicks in some specific cases. The refurbishment of 22 platforms used by eagles for nesting also contributed to the success of some breeding pairs.
Actions envisaged to raise awareness among the public in Extremadura included the preparation and distribution of publicity material - stickers, T-shirts etc. - publication of a book and organisation of a travelling exhibition on the species and the project in 62 municipalities of Extremadura.
The project actions helped increase the average productivity of breeding imperial eagles from 0.6 to 1.3 in Extremadura. However, the regional population of the species experienced a slightly downward trend - from 37 to 32 pairs - over the course of the project. Furthermore, some of these pairs were juveniles. The increasing use of poison to control predators was a major cause of mortality across the project areas.
The project actions thus marked an important contribution in ensuring the relative stability of the regional imperial eagle population in the face of increasing threats to adult eagles. To continue this process, the project designated new SPAs. By the end of the project, six SPAs covered about 85-90% of the nesting/breeding territories of the imperial eagle in Extremadura.
The project drafted a recovery plan for the species. Its implementation also achieved improved coordination between the regions, contributing to the drafting of a National Strategy for the imperial eagle, a national Regulation to avoid bird mortality in power lines and a combined effort to tackle illegal use of poison.The project for conservation of the imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti) in Extremadura increased understanding of the bird, its needs and the specific threats facing it. It marked an important step in the development of improved measures for the conservation of this species. Significantly, it helped maintain the stability of the regional population despite increased threats from poisoning.
Up to eighteen trained and equipped wardens monitored imperial eagles across 400 000 ha, divided into about 50 areas. Supported by a radio-tracking programme of 11 juveniles, this significantly increased data on eagle dispersal, causes of non-natural mortality and preferred feeding areas. Some of the project actions were carried out in 1 400 ha of land leased to the project, in an area with great value to the imperial eagle.
The wardens monitored the major threats to the eagle, particularly problems along power lines, and illegal trapping (snares) and use of poison in hunting areas. This informed implementation of corrective measures on 4 726 pylons and the installation of 3 197 anti-collision signals on 62 lines (201 km). The major effort was concentrated in the two best nesting areas for the species: Monfragüe Natural Park (about 11 pairs; and 11 lines modified); and Sierra de San Pedro (about 20 pairs; 17 lines modified).
Measures aimed at improving food availability for the eagle included construction of around 915 artificial burrows and the improvement of rabbits’ preferred pastureland habitat through clearance of bushes over 611 hectares, ploughing of 200 hectares, sowing of 190 ha, construction of 32 ponds and protecting 20 areas for rabbit breeding with fences. The project restocked 9 018 rabbits and 2 492 red-legged partridges to the project areas.
Supplementary feeding, used only in cases of real food shortage, demonstrated its efficacy in reducing mortality rates in chicks in some specific cases. The refurbishment of 22 platforms used by eagles for nesting also contributed to the success of some breeding pairs.
Actions envisaged to raise awareness among the public in Extremadura included the preparation and distribution of publicity material - stickers, T-shirts etc. - publication of a book and organisation of a travelling exhibition on the species and the project in 62 municipalities of Extremadura.
The project actions helped increase the average productivity of breeding imperial eagles from 0.6 to 1.3 in Extremadura. However, the regional population of the species experienced a slightly downward trend - from 37 to 32 pairs - over the course of the project. Furthermore, some of these pairs were juveniles. The increasing use of poison to control predators was a major cause of mortality across the project areas.
The project actions thus marked an important contribution in ensuring the relative stability of the regional imperial eagle population in the face of increasing threats to adult eagles. To continue this process, the project designated new SPAs. By the end of the project, six SPAs covered about 85-90% of the nesting/breeding territories of the imperial eagle in Extremadura.
The project drafted a recovery plan for the species. Its implementation also achieved improved coordination between the regions, contributing to the drafting of a National Strategy for the imperial eagle, a national Regulation to avoid bird mortality in power lines and a combined effort to tackle illegal use of poison.