Male Steppe Eagle X Spanish Imperial Eagle

[Stephen]

News filtering out of Avila province that a male Steppe Eagle and female Spanish Imperial Eagle have again bred at as yet undisclosed location. The first brood in 2007 was a success with two chicks raised, but their attempts in 2008 failed. This year there were three chicks at the site and sources tell me that there were some serious wild-fires in the region and large areas of large 'aquila' habitat have been lost. Both of the parents have not been seen for some time and the fate of the chicks is not know. One twist to this tale is that some people within several governmental or birding groups were discussing the option to remove the chicks before the fires broke out. The reasoning behind this was, to put it inot their words " To stop genetic pollution". Whether the birds have been physically removed to an aviary or they have since died in the fires is not yet clear, but the point I'm offering to discuss is this.  Both birds are European and therefor this chance encounter has already taken place and as such hybreds from the two species are out there somewhere. To what end do we as Man wish to interfere in what could be a natural occurrence in the wild and do you think that such inteference is justified?

I'd be interested to hear your comments.

Here's an interesting SI Eagle film by the SEO:
http://www.seo.org/programa_intro.cfm?idPrograma=37

[Peter]

Let nature take its course. It would be different if one of the birds was an escape, but clearly this a natural event and should be left to run its course. Amazing how folk always think they should interfere and know whats best! Who exactly thinks they should act as arbitrators of this occurrence?

Peter