Pigargo has become a focal point in Spain and beyond. The reintroduction of Europe’s largest eagle into Spanish lands sparked a broad debate. Supporters and critics clashed, turning the project into a flashpoint within the environmental movement. The initiative, backed by GREFA, received an early measure of recognition in the days that followed. It also drew praise from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which endorsed the project and its aims. Yet the conversation remained vigorous.
The first European sea eagles arrived on August 2, 2021, with birds from Norway relocated to Pimiango in the Ribadedeva municipality of Asturias. Since then, twenty-five eagles have been released, forming several pairs along the coast, with twenty surviving to date.
Although the Pigargo project is an GREFA initiative supported by the Ministry of Ecological Transformation and Demographic Challenge, its roots trace back to the 1990s. A startup decision in 2018 brought preliminary approval, aiming to restore a species long absent from large portions of the Spanish landscape, including the European eagle.
European eagle example. remove splatter
Moreover, Spain’s Natural Heritage and Biodiversity Law of 2007 directs public administrations to encourage the reintroduction of native flora and fauna. As GREFA explained in its autumn 2023 newsletter, the NGO with more than four decades of biodiversity experience embraced the challenge of reestablishing the European eagle as a breeding species in Spain.
Deaths from electrocution and poisoning
Two years have passed since the initial release, and most birds remain tied to the release area. Their movements along the east coast of Asturias and near reservoirs have been mapped with GPS transmitters, enabling continuous tracking.
Before release, several pairs showed positive adaptation, described by GREFA as a strong sign that the Cantabrian coast provides favorable environmental conditions. About 80 percent of the released eagles survived; five of the 25 released birds died, mainly due to electrocution and poisoning. Since the project began, more than 90 electrical lines have been addressed and further fixes are planned.
GREFA notes that the European eagle is a species with deep roots in Spain, present here for over 1.3 million years and appearing in historical periods. Some remains date from 400 to 800 BCE, and multiple sites across the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands attest to its long presence. It is described as a flexible wild predator that thrived in both coastal and inland habitats.
One of GREFA’s eagles with GPS in place, moments before release
GREFA adds that historical records show the eagle feeding mainly on carrion and generally not harming local fauna or economies. Opponents of the reintroduction argue that there is little evidence of breeding in historical times on the Iberian Peninsula and have called for the withdrawal of the released birds.
Risks to wildlife
Critics contend that the project lacks solid scientific grounding and that eagles could threaten wildlife, including protected species and domestic animals. They question whether the GREFA pilot meets IUCN criteria for conservation and propose that local and regional balances may be affected.
Regional scientists and stakeholders, including local NGOs, farmers, fishermen, and the University of Oviedo, have expressed concerns. A representative from SEO/BirdLife in Asturias highlighted the eagle as a powerful predator that can affect more than carrion, even mentioning salmon as a potential prey.
Recently GREFA received notable support for the project from IUCN, which remains a central reference on global biodiversity status and best practices for conservation.
A European eagle in flight
In their assessment, the IUCN Conservation Translocation Specialist Group recommends continuing the project and maintaining releases under the original plan with ongoing monitoring. The report also emphasizes that the European eagle is a generalist species that historically occupied both Atlantic coastal zones and inland Mediterranean regions, supporting the idea that its reemergence could be seen as a return of a native component of the ecosystem.
Stopped releases, with a view to resuming
The international working group suggests that the question of past presence in historical times should not determine ecological relevance today. The Pigargo project is described as aligning with widely accepted international standards for species translocations and as meeting IUCN guidelines in most respects.
The report notes areas for improvement, acknowledging that the technical team could have done more to reduce controversy and to keep broader publics informed about the project’s benefits. Experts encourage clearer communication about the ecological and social advantages of restoring the European sea eagle to Spain.
European eagles in Ribadedeva, Asturias, in acclimatization cages
At present the release program is paused while officials consider next steps. GREFA continues to advocate for resumed efforts, arguing that no technical or scientific grounds justify halting the initiative. The project previously enjoyed broad support from autonomous communities and the Ministry in the Wild Flora and Fauna Committee in 2019.
The Pigargo initiative is discussed in internal IUCN materials that underscore ongoing monitoring and potential future updates. The greater context positions the European sea eagle as a historically embedded species in the Iberian Peninsula and neighboring regions, reinforcing the case for continued conservation efforts.