The environmental awareness of a family, and rapid response of environmental agents have saved the lives of three Iberian imperial Eagle chicks (Aquila Adalberti>>). Due to strong winds, the nest had collapsed from an old tree on the road near Herencia (Ciudad Real).
The nest was discovered by a family who enjoys hiking and who noticed three hatchlings lying on the ground while walking through the area. They called the emergency number 112 to report the situation. The Castilla-La Mancha Environmental Agents Corps was mobilized by this service. They confirmed that the nest was a controlled nest of an imperial eagle couple that had successfully raised a brood with three chickens.
But, when they arrived at the scene, they only found two chickens so they continued to search for the third. It was eventually located near the tree.
Despite the fall from the poplar, the eaglets survived and were not injured. The chicks of this endangered species were later transferred to the El Chaparrillo Wildlife Recovery Center in Ciudad Real. There they will continue their breeding process and then be released back into the same area they were found.
The Body of Environmental Agents of Castilla La Mancha says that the family’s sensitive gesture has saved the small eagles (large in size) from becoming prey to predators.
Despite the fact that the Iberian imperial Eagle is still considered a protected species, it is now listed as “endangered”. It currently has a population of more than 500 couples. The majority are in Spain, with 20 couples in Portugal. Only Castilla-La Mancha saw its population increase by four over the past ten years.
The habitat of the Iberian imperial Eagle is varied, from forests in mountains to coastal marshes. Because it was a species that has been persecuted over centuries because of its competition with human hunters, the couple often sought refuge in areas that were difficult to access or required complicated relief.
Monogamous, it has its mating season from March to July. The nest is prepared by the pair of eagles in those months. They usually build the nest in the treetops. A typical clutch contains five eggs and is incubated for about a month. Although only three harriers are known to survive, environmental groups warn that the number of eggs that become infertile is declining. The chicks that do survive are usually left behind two months after their birth. This is the age at which the Ciudad Real chicks were just about to reach. However, they will remain close to their parents for a few months to ensure that their food supply continues.
