Spanish Imperial Eagle chicks saved

[David]

I came across the following article in a local newspaper that I thought would interest you all.

"Officials from the Andalucia Environment Department have announced that this year they have saved 15 chicks born to the endangered Spanish Imperial Eagle.  This is a record number and is a sign that this unique programme in Spain to protect the highly endangered species is bearing fruit.

The chicks were rescued from situations where they were suffering an extreme risk of death from illness, falling from the nest or the natural phenomenon known as “Cainism” whereby one of the chicks is eliminated so that the stronger may survive.

One of the first chicks to be rescued this year was from an egg that was abandoned in its nest by its parents because of a lack of food.  It was successfully hatched in an incubator.

The rescued chicks are taken to San Jerónimo centre in Sevilla where three are undergoing a programme of recuperation and development.  The other 12 have been taken to La Janda area of Cádiz where since 2002 the Environment Department has undertaken a programme of reintroduction into the wild.  The scheme has led this year to the first pair of Imperial eagles breeding in La Janda.

Since the programme started in 2002 there are now 96 saved Imperial eagles at large.  Apart from La Janda they have also been taken to Doñana to reinforce the populatiom there."

I am not sure exactly where the San Jerónimo centre in Sevilla is but I wonder whether they deal with any saved/injured bird or whether it is a centre that only deals with the Imperial Eagle?

David

[Marbella_bird]

The centre, which is officially known as the "Centro de Recuperación de Especies Amenazadas" is in the San Jerónimo area of Sevilla (Sevilla-La Rinconada km 1.5) but due to the ever increasing demand for its services (more than 1300 birds were brought there in 2009) a new, larger centre is under construction in Sanlúcar la Mayor. The new centre will have improved caging and better flight facilities as well as less invasive feeding systems. Hopefully it will open next year if funding doesn't disappear so fingers crossed.
The 5 employees, including one vet, have raised chicks and/or treated damaged birds of the following species: Spanish Imperial Eagle, Black and Egyptian Vultures, Montagu's Harrier, Black, Red and Black-winged Kites and Black and White Storks. Raptors such as Sparrowhawks have also undergone successful rehab at the centre and other species will be accepted if facilities and space are available, with priority being given to endangered species as per the "Libro Rojo de los Vertebrados Amenazados de Andalucía".

The centre is part of the Red Andaluza de Centros de Recuperación de Especies Amenazadas (CREA), set up by the Medio Ambiente division of the local government in 2001. There are six other centres, one in each province except Huelva which is imminent.

Alexandra
 

[David]

Thank you Alexandra - very interesting.  Two things immediately come to mind.  The first is whether they have open days or will take visitors.  It would be a good ABS trip.  The second is whether our Society could help to raise funds for them.

Peter, do you know anything about these centres through your connections with the Junta of Andalucia?

David

[Marbella_bird]

I volunteer myself to get in touch with one of the centres if Peter has no connections. It will have to be after the Morocco trip though

Alexandra

[mike in Jerez]

I have been to one of these centres just outside Cáceres (city) and they certainly welcome visitors there, so perhaps the one in Sevilla does too.

[mike in Jerez]

Further to my last note, you can find the addresses of all these Centros de recuperación at www.grefa.org , not only in Andalucía but in the whole of Spain.
cheers
mike