The direct persecution on part of the man is one of the problems that from ancient have affected the populations of many predators, among them Bonelli's Eagle. (Up to the beginning of the decade of the 70s existed laws that promoted and stimulated the elimination of these animals). The used methods were   shooting, poisoning and trapping, or the robbery of eggs and chicks in the nest.

Although the frequency of direct persecution in relation to the electrocution has diminished in Catalonia, the absolute number of eagles dead by this cause is similar to that of several decades ago. This means that globally the persecution has not changed in the last decades. In the last years there have been repeatedly detected eagles dead by shooting in diverse private hunting areas, and the use of poison has been stated in others. This fact indicates that in Catalonia the indiscriminate chasing of raptors still continues.

This resurgence of illegal practices and very harmful to the fauna and the ecosystems (poisons, systematic persecution of predators), which seemed to be forgotten and a fruit of last centuries, probably have an origin in the decrease of the hunting yields caused by the appearance of new diseases of the hunting species, the irresponsible repopulations, the degradation of the habitats and an untenable hunting pressure that blames nevertheless the predators. In other cases it may be simply a question of shooting indiscriminately on any animal or to kill or to trade with a protected species. A sustainable hunting activity, respectful with the environment and favouring of the biodiversity can be perfectly compatible with the conservation of the eagles.

- The creation of spaces in which hunting is not allowed (Natural Reservations of Wild Fauna or Refuges for the Wild Fauna), located in the principal nuclei of the breeding territories and dispersal areas of the juvenile Bonelli's Eagles.

- The creation of game-keeper vacancies directed to controlling that the current regulation is respected inside these areas.

- The most rigorous application of legislation at the moment of penalizing the furtive hunting and other offences against the protected fauna, but that simultaneously contemplates technical support and helps to the game preserves where a hunting sustainable management is realized.

- To raise public awareness and collaborate with the hunters collective to announce the interest of the conservation of the predators and the environmental activities favourable to a sustainable management of the hunting.

Go to "Threats on the individuals"