Central government authorities and autonomous communities, including Asturias, declined to back the final phase of the project aimed at promoting the European eagle. The bird, a large raptor native to parts of Europe, has been the subject of controversy after experimental releases and calls for immediate action to capture any individuals already released. The decision marks a clear shift in how stakeholders view reintroduction efforts in Spain and the broader Iberian Peninsula.
Minister of Rural Affairs Alejandro Calvo confirmed to Efe the stance taken by the Wild Flora and Fauna Committee, a body that includes representatives from both national and regional administrations. In a meeting held recently, the committee chose to withdraw support for the initiative, signaling concerns about ecological balance and long-term outcomes.
The promotional program, led by the Grefa Association, began with a first experimental phase that saw roughly twenty individuals from Norway released in the Ribadedeva area of Asturias since last August. The project’s intentions were to study adaptation, survival, and potential ecological impacts before deciding on broader releases.
The photograph caption accompanying the release described the European eagle as an example of a large raptor that has historically inhabited parts of Europe, with a wingspan that can extend over two meters. The birds are known to form social units in certain life stages yet are often seen solitary or paired during adulthood.
endangered making of a comeback
The reintroduction of this species has drawn mixed reactions from conservation organizations. Some fear that the European eagle, if present in the Principality, would be undocumented in terms of breeding and could act as a predator affecting fish and waterfowl populations. Critics caution that restocking an already vulnerable population might unintentionally magnify ecological stress rather than provide a net conservation benefit.
The Ecoloxista d’Asturies Coordinator (CEA) has voiced skepticism about the emergence of the European eagle in Spain, noting that evidence of this species breeding in the country has not been substantiated. The coordinator emphasized the need for verifiable data before any further steps are taken.
The presence of a potential top predator such as the European eagle in Asturias raises questions about potential risks to endemic species and the broader food web. Concerns focus on competition with native fauna and possible direct predation on fish, waterfowl, and small mammals, highlighting the delicate balance of conservation priorities in the region.
The accompanying caption stated that the eagle is not a bird native to Spain, reflecting expert opinions that long-term establishment remains unproven. This misalignment between expectations and ecological reality has propelled a cautious approach among researchers and policymakers alike.
The coordinator urged that samples released in recent months be monitored and, where possible, retrieved, although it remains unclear whether the ministry will relocate nests or eggs to mitigate any ongoing ecological impact. The dialogue continues among environmental authorities about the best course of action to protect native biodiversity while evaluating reintroduction options.
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For further context, the environment department’s contact channel has been referenced in preliminary communications, though no direct outreach is included within this rewritten narrative.