The bird, recovered by COFIB, has been fitted with a satellite tracking device to monitor its reintegration into the wild
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment, through the Species Protection Service of the Directorate-General for Natural Environment and Forest Management, has released a Bonelli’s eagle (Aquila fasciata) today on the public estate of Galatzó, in Calvià. The bird had been recovering over the past month at the facilities of the Balearic Wildlife Recovery Consortium (COFIB).
Councillor Joan Simonet, who took part in the release along with Director General Anna Torres and the Mayor of Calvià, Juan Antonio Amengual, expressed gratitude for the public’s cooperation and praised COFIB’s efforts in rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife across the Balearic Islands. During the release, Simonet explained that “the eagle has been fitted with a satellite tracking transmitter, which will allow us to monitor its progress and ensure it adapts successfully back to nature.” The eagle was also tagged with an official metal ring for identification.
TDB keeps you informed. Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
The Balearic Government Releases a Rehabilitated Bonelli’s Eagle on the Public Estate of Galatzó
On April 18, COFIB received a call from a member of the public reporting an injured eagle in the municipality of Calvià. Technicians promptly arrived at the site and transported the animal to COFIB’s facilities in Santa Eugènia. A veterinary examination confirmed that it was a disoriented adult female with no fractures or serious injuries, but clear clinical signs of trauma, likely due to a significant impact. After weeks of care and once full recovery was confirmed, the eagle was cleared by veterinary staff and released today back into its natural habitat.
Bonelli’s eagles are classified as apex predators. Councillor Simonet highlighted that “their presence is crucial in maintaining ecological balance, as they help regulate populations of mesopredators and prey species.”
It is important to note that this species was reintroduced to Mallorca as part of the LIFE Bonelli Project, funded by the European Union. The main goal of the project is to restore, conserve, and strengthen Bonelli’s eagle populations in both current habitats and historical territories where they had disappeared—such as Mallorca. Thanks to the work and involvement of public institutions (Govern de les Illes Balears, Consell de Mallorca, and local councils), along with private organizations and NGOs, the Balearic population is now considered viable, self-sustaining, and firmly established on the island, no longer reliant on external population reinforcement.
A Species Classified as “Endangered”
The Bonelli’s eagle is listed as “Endangered” in the Balearic Islands, in accordance with the regional resolution of October 23, 2017, which updates the Balearic Catalogue of Threatened and Specially Protected Species. Nationally, it is classified as “Vulnerable” under Royal Decree 139/2011 of February 4, which governs the List of Wild Species under Special Protection and the Spanish Catalogue of Threatened Species. The species is also considered “Regionally Extinct” in the latest review of the Red Book of Balearic Vertebrates, and “Vulnerable” in Spain’s Red List of Birds. Internationally, it is included in Annex I of the European Birds Directive for the conservation of wild birds.