Recovery of the Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) in La Rioja (Spain)

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The Autonomous Region of La Rioja marks the northernmost point of the Bonelli's eagle's range in the Iberian Peninsula. This typical Mediterranean raptor nests on mountain crags. The species is considered a priority for funding by LIFE-Nature at European Union level and is found only in the southern EU Member States. Spain has a population of 650 to 700 pairs, approximately 80 percent of the entire European population.

Since the 1980s, the species has been in decline especially in Spain and, particularly, on bordering areas of its range like La Rioja. Most of the blame for its disappearance lies with human activities. Many individuals are electrocuted by power lines or killed by poachers, while activities like climbing and mountain walking have an adverse impact on their reproduction rate. Another important factor in the decline of this bird is the deterioration of trophic conditions in its hunting grounds.

OBJECTIVES

The project intended to curb the decline in the populations and to create the conditions for recolonisation of sites deserted by the species. In this sense, this project continued and complemented two other LIFE-Nature projects implemented in the neighbouring regions of Navarre and Aragon.

One of the principal measures to be taken in the project aimed to mitigate the threat which power lines pose to the life of the birds. In addition, the project planned to regulate uses such as hunting and climbing in the nesting and foraging areas, and to develop a system for population monitoring. Other habitat conservation measures were planned specifically to prevent landscape simplification, detrimental to the species, that may result from reafforestation or land amalgamation schemes. Finally, a public-awareness campaign was foreseen to provide information on the species and the project actions, but mainly to ensure that Bonelli's eagle is known and accepted, in particular, by the sectors that can play an important role in its conservation.

RESULTS

The general and specific objectives of the project were achieved. The following results can be highlighted:

Bonelli’s eagle population in the region increased in two pairs as related to the figures at the project beginning. Two territories were re-colonized, so that by the end of the project the local population for the species was totalling five pairs. Nonetheless, the bird is still classified as “in danger of extinction” under regional law.

The non-natural adult and juvenile mortality was reduced thanks to the elimination of threats on the species. The potential collision with and electrocution by power lines has been addressed through the correction of 31 sections, and illicit shooting in game reserves has been prevented by means of the adaptation of 37 hunting plans to the species' conservation requirements. Likewise, the long-term agreement signed with the main electricity company operating in the region (IBERDROLA) for the modification of dangerous power lines within the Natura 2000 Network is noteworthy, and has got a high demonstration potential.

The breeding success improved as a result of the surveillance carried out by seven wardens from the regional government (trained within the project) and also owing to the monitoring of the species and the enhanced control of potential affection to the species' territories, for instance by stopping the use of helicopters in military manoeuvres, by limiting photographic activities, by closing up the most problematic climbing routes, and by systematically assessing all the projects potentially affecting the Bonelli’s eagle. Besides, the different individuals of each pair were made distinct through drawings, and this allowed to know the casualties and repositions in each couple.

An awareness raising campaing was developed and a set of materials (poster, leaflet, dossier and educational material for teachers and schoolchildren) was distributed at least in 140 schools of the area. Besides, a layman’s report was issued in Spanish and English and a web page was created and displayed at no cost for the project.

Measures included in the regional Recovery Plan such as the increase of prey species and habitat improvement were carried in nine game reserves placed in important areas for the Bonelli’s eagle. These measures were financed through the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), thus showing an interesting synergy among EU funds.

Overall, the knowledge on the species status in the region increased significantly and the awareness about the species’ problems was raised at all levels. There was an important cooperation between the Regional Government and all the relevant stakeholders (electricity firms, railway company, municipalities, local associations of hunters and climbers). All of them were somehow involved in the actions carried out and every decision was agreed by consensus, always looking for the best options for the eagle.