This week has been especially warm throughout the Iberian Peninsula and it seems that communities such as Extremadura will remain under the heat for some time. The authorities have become alert to the situation, and not only the health authorities. The General Directorate of Sustainability of the Junta de Extremadura announced on Thursday the implementation of the protocol for action and monitoring in the event of possible heat strokes to threatened fauna. Its objective is to prevent endangered species such as the Iberian imperial eagle or black vultures from seeing their situation worsen due to high temperatures.
Unequal effects according to species.
The problem, of course, is not the temperature itself, but that the heat arrives so early. Due to their biological cycle, species such as the Iberian imperial eagle or the black vulture have nests with young that are less than a month old. The nests of these birds are often in full sun or poorly protected, so these young are in a very vulnerable situation.
The chicks that decide to escape from the nest can be attacked by other predatory species outside the protection of the nest. Species such as the Bonelli’s eagle do not suffer from this problem since their young have been able to develop and are now able to function outside the nest without major risks.
What does the protocol consist of?
The protocol initiated by the Extremaduran authorities implies that agents of the natural environment and biodiversity technicians will monitor and control the nests of eagles and vultures that have chickens. They will also intensify the supply of food to imperial eagles, since they suspect that the situation could be worse if the birds do not get the food they need.
In addition to monitoring the nests of endangered birds, the young of fallen birds will be collected in urban areas. These will then be transferred to wildlife recovery centers. The institutions have also made an appeal asking for citizen collaboration to locate fallen pups or specimens that appreciate “strange behavior”
Protect wild animals from heat.
Much of the focus of this action plan is on large wild birds of threatened species. However, high temperatures can harm various animals in our environment, including domestic animals, mammals of all kinds, reptiles, and a long etcetera. Animals in captivity and in reserves also require special attention from their keepers on certain occasions.
Beyond the measures implemented by the authorities, ways can also be found to help the animals that live in our environment. In England, for example, from the Sally Welbourn of Dorset Wildlife Trust (DWT), they recommend keeping water in places where animals can pass, such as gardens, as well as creating shaded areas so that they can protect themselves from the sun.
Not just heat waves.
There are other extreme events that can harm the animals in our environment, such as storms and floods, or extreme cold events. Storms and floods can also affect the trees in which birds nest, and cold snaps also bring the need to protect farm and wild animals.
Image | barbeeanne
George is Digismak’s reported cum editor with 13 years of experience in Journalism