Since we have started to release in 2010, we have observed that certain places are chosen by different eagles, despite being far away. These are typical locations for the dispersal of the species, but still we are amazed about the confluence of eagles of different origin in very concrete places of our country. We would like to talk about the Andalusian case: during all that time we have received more than 3.000 GPS positions of nine different eagles released through Life Bonelli. In some cases they were only travelling movements, but others show that the eagles had settled and passed weeks or months in some areas. Often these locations are of vital importance for the conservation of the species.
Turón is a small village in the area of Granada and also the name of a male Bonelli’s Eagle born in the season 2015 in Andalusia. After receiving treatment due to a serious infection caused by Trichomonas, he was released by means of hacking in the Community of Madrid this past May within the Life Bonelli Project.
Ardenne, one of the Bonelli’s Eagles released this year in Navarre within the Life Bonelli Project, has been found dead this past September 29 in the north of Portugal. The animal could be located thanks to the data received from the transmitter she carried which indicated the same location during many hours in the same point.
In case anybody still had doubts about the power lines and their devastating effect on the Bonelli’s Eagles, we found it confirmed yet again by the recent cases of Escorial and Argonne. Still feeling the anxiety about the death by electrocution of these two unfortunate specimens, bred in captivity, reintroduced and followed via satellite thanks to our Life Bonelli Project, we want to share with you some details of the life cycles of these birds so dear to us. However, before that we have to reiterate our commitment to fight against a threat that still takes a heavy toll on many birds and proves especially lethal for the Bonelli’s Eagle.
By invitation from the Association Avafes Canarias, this past October 8 we had the opportunity to present the Life Bonelli Project, in which GREFA is so involved, designed to contribute towards the recuperation of the Bonelli’s Eagle Spanish population.