Fires in Extremadura put black vulture colonies in critical condition

It is now known that two Egyptian vulture nests are affected, the others are affected by golden eagles and an imperial eagle’s encampment.. The fire is moving towards the Tagus River area where the fires are located. Precious areas of the virgin Mediterranean forest and nests of at least 15 black vultures with their chicks.

Only the change of direction of the wind and the efforts of the extinguishing vehicles could avert disaster. Therefore, SEO/BirdLife has asked Junta de Extremadura to request a tool reinforcement from the State. Saving Monfragüe National Park and “if conditions improve, you have a chance.”

The biggest fire started in the Las Hurdes area of ​​Cáceres in the afternoon of Monday 11 July and spread to Las Batuecas in Salamanca the next day. Almost simultaneously, another burning began on the slopes of the Sierra de Béjar, very close to the town of Candelario, which spread rapidly to Extremadura due to adverse wind and temperature conditions.

Finally, on Wednesday, a fire that was extinguished last week in the Sierra de Dios Padre near Las Hurdes flared up again, further complicating the situation of extinction vehicles; and then the Casas de Miravete fire, which entered the Monfragüe park, was declared.

Affected habitats of high ecological value

dir-dir fire wave devastating in Extremadura More than 6,000 hectares of forest and high mountain thickets According to SEO/BirdLife’s preliminary analysis, Natura 2000 affects seven areas of the Network.

These spaces are half a dozen habitats of high ecological value More than 20 vertebrate species, including European Union (EU) regulations and black vultures, black storks, royal kites, Egyptian vultures, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, common goshawk, common hawk, booted eagle, European honey hawks, prairie figs is protected by , red rock, lesser bill, blue-throated nightingale, Batuecas lizard or Asturian narcissus, among others.

Of particular concern is the effect on the black vulture.with more than 30 nests near or directly affected by fires. SEO/BirdLife fears that all hatched chicks will be completely lost this year, as the adults will likely have left the area due to the magnitude of the incident.

The black vulture has a population in Spain that has shown a positive trend in recent years, but still ‘threatened’ category, according to the Red Book of Birds. It is the largest known population on the European continent and this bird’s last refuge It is also the largest scavenger in Europe.

populations egyptian vulture and black stork, other species that often have chicks in their nests, many may have died due to fire or adult abandonment. there is two endangered species listed as ‘vulnerable’ at the state level In the Red Book and with a declining population.

“Very difficult” conditions

SEO/BirdLife expressed its “deepest support” to the professional staff trying to put out these fires in “very difficult” conditions.

“We insist that it is necessary. adapting fire management resources to the new reality derived from climate change and adequate allocation of resources. preventionkeeping the forest masses of natural areas in a good state of preservation,” the NGO adds.

SEO/BirdLife states, “Likewise, we show our absolute support to people living in affected areas, those who have had to leave their homes, and those who have seen how their natural environment has been destroyed by the flames.”

Fires have destroyed almost 60,000 hectares in Spain these days.. Last Monday afternoon alone, 33 fires were counted that burned more than 29,000 hectares, to which must be added the 30,000 consumed by the fire. Zamorawheretwo people dieda forest fireman and a rancher,15 more people were injured and 32 places had to be evacuatedwhich adds more than 5,000 neighbors.