DE: CONCERFORUM Hi all, I attached a story that appeared in press ( http://www.publico.es/ciencias/129086/pajaros/protegidos/barrotes ):
EFE - EFE Oscar Menéndez - Madrid - 24/06/2008 20:01
in recent years has increased the breeding birds in captivity and their reintroduction into the wild. In theory, this practice is designed to protect certain species whose survival is in jeopardy, as the bearded vulture, imperial eagle and the grouse.
However, the environmental group SEO / BirdLife yesterday reported that this type of program is more in fashion that respect for diversity.
There are two ways to solve problems of species conservation. On the one hand, it can be done in situ, ie on the ground to implement necessary actions. And, second, it ex situ, through captive breeding and reintroduction. The logic would practice in situ, if possible. "Captive breeding is a sad day," said Alejandro Sanchez, Executive Director of SEO / BirdLife, "because it is proof of failure. And we should do just because everything else has failed. "
In Spain, this phenomenon seems to be happening in reverse, claim Sanchez: "The government sold us that can make roads or airports because then always can releasing captive-bred species. And this is a very perverse message, and a distortion of what these programs really mean. "
analyzes the major projects of captive breeding and reintroduction of threatened bird species in Spain show that only a handful of them meet the minimum requirements. The conditions that should put together a plan of this nature includes the idea that all ex situ actions should be performed only in exceptional circumstances. New diseases
The international scientific consensus states that ex situ actions are also environmental risks. The newly introduced copies can spread new diseases to the natives. In other cases, insists the NGO, the genetic change to usher in species from other areas.
from SEO / BirdLife government is accused of using these programs for aesthetic purposes: "The loose birds are very sexy, ideal for someone to sell as a defender of nature," he added.
In SEO / BirdLife has carried out a census of 119 such projects. One of the most valued is the recovery of the imperial eagle in Doñana Park. And the information provided yesterday by the Andalusian indicate that this species has doubled its presence over the past eight years. Interestingly, the experience of Doñana is one of the few in Spain, with a recovery plan, which is one of the requirements of the conservation partnership.
However, despite the optimistic figures of this community, Alejandro Sanchez is not so: "If these numbers are so good in situ, should be explored then the need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in captive breeding projects ".
Mario Diaz, a researcher at the Natural Resources Institute of the CSIC and member of the Scientific Committee SEO / BirdLifeCSIC:
"Nowhere to release the birds"
Some breeding programs and reintroduction of birds, can be negative?
I think a lot, basically, hurt, because they are detrimental to the preservation in situ. Animals are raised, but if their environment is degraded, there is nowhere to drop. Is how to apply chemotherapy to prevent cancer.
There is considerable scientific literature on this subject.
There are few publications and programs are often not transparent. Most projects work with trial and error. If it works, great, but if not, do not learn anything. Should develop protocols that enable learning from mistakes. That means the introduction of controls, which is now practiced.
But it is not a scientific problem, but political.
course. What Our concern is that in this country those tools are not practiced. Attitudes are disguised as conservatism has nothing to do. Scientifically, things are clear. Now governments need to take these scientific criteria.
Regards, JC
JC Fernández-Ordóñez from Terrassa (Barcelona).
Xuan Review Highlights: "Whenever possible I believe it is better to protect natural habitats where birds live and reintroduction."
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