PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Between the 1970s and 1990s, Bonelli's eagle (Hieraaetus fasciatus) disappeared from Palencia, Leon, Soria, Segovia, Avila, Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, Mallorca, Sardinia and Calabria. Conservation efforts carried out over the last 20 years have not been as effective as expected and the species is almost extinct in Navarra, Álava and Burgos; though some pairs survive thanks to the LIFE BONELLI project (LIFE12 NAT/ES/000701). In addition, the progressive loss of its potential territory is still taking place in other areas such as Aragón, Castilla y León, and Castellón. In Italy, it faces extinction in 50 years.
OBJECTIVES
AQUILA a-LIFE aimed at increasing the occurrence of the Bonelli's eagle population in the western Mediterranean (the centre and north of the Iberian Peninsula and in Sardinia), and at reversing its current regressive population trend, by contributing to the restoration of the habitats where it once lived. The project proposed working for the recovery of the species over a broad geographical area at the meta-population level (rather than at the level of small local populations). Bird releases are expected to enable the return of the species, while the project also aimed to address threats to the species. This methodology has previously been effective in the LIFE BONELLI project. Therefore, further bird releases were planned where those previous results were positive (Madrid, Navarra, Álava), and the methodology would also be transferred to Sardinia. Therefore, this project can be considered as the second phase of LIFE BONELLI project, given that reintroduction and reinforcement projects often require several stages of implementation.
The project had the following specific objectives:
- To reduce the risk that Bonelli's eagle and other bird species die as a result of electrocution in their natural habitat, both inside and outside protected areas;
- To conduct a thorough assessment of the conservation status of the Mediterranean meta-population of Bonelli's eagle, and the effectiveness of the recovery measures implemented;
- To involve all sectors, particularly hunting, in the recovery and management of Bonelli's eagle, to increase acceptance of the species;
- To assess the impact of the reintroduction of a top-level predator, such as the Bonelli’s eagle, on the ecosystem functions on a Mediterranean island;
- To reduce the risk of Bonelli's eagle or other birds dying by drowning in artificial ponds or by colliding with wires in espaliered vineyards;
- To increase the competitiveness of Bonelli's eagle against the golden eagle in its historical breeding territories; and
- To increase society's respect towards Bonelli's eagle in particular and towards raptors in general.
RESULTS
AQUILA a-LIFE resulted in an extension in the range of the population of Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata) in the western Mediterranean, and a reversal of the regressive population trend. The project team contributed to the restoration of ecosystems in areas where the eagle used to live and is being encouraged to return.
The project team released 130 individuals in the project areas, resulting in an increase of 15 territories occupied by Bonelli's eagle pairs. These included the first eagles to breed in Álava in 40 years, and the first pair to establish in Sardinia where the species had become extinct.
In parallel, they worked to reduce the main threats to the species. A big effort was focused on modifying more than 15 000 dangerous power pylons, with the involvement of energy companies, public administrations and other relevant stakeholders. In addition, they installed 45 floaters in dangerous ponds in Mallorca, and modified three ponds in Navarra to include escape ramps and green islands. They also worked with several wineries, who participated in "trellised project" to replace wire with alternative straps, to reduce bird collision risk in trellised (espaliered) vineyards.
The project’s capacity building and dissemination elements were a key factor in the project’s success. The beneficiaries provided online courses on power lines and bird collisions and electrocutions (3 924 users registered; 1 914 completed) and organised (or attended) 36 seminars/workshops, with a total participation of 2 788 people. The project team organised (or participated in) 36 conferences and informal talks for the general public (reaching 2 463 people), and 43 technical events (reaching 3 439 people). They also presented the project to more than 40 000 people, mainly visitors of GREFA and FNP premises.
The close collaborative work between the project beneficiaries and public administrations led the authorities to become more involved in Bonelli's eagle protection. In the final event organised by the project, the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition (MITECO) announced that, in application of the AQUILA a-LIFE White Paper, it will draw up the basis for establishing a national strategy to combat electrocution and collisions in power lines, as well as reactivating the Power Lines Working Group of the Wildlife Committee. Furthermore, the Spanish Royal Decree 1432/2008 (establishing measures to protect birds against collision and electrocution on high-voltage power lines) is now under revision by the Spanish Government and the MITECO is considering the White Paper developed by the project as a reference document to draft the new Royal Decree.
Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report (see "Read more" section).
