Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata) is a medium-sized raptor, which occurs in the Mediteranean climate region of southern France and other European countries (Spain and Portugal for the most important), northern Africa, the Middle East and across Asia to India and China.
This species has been declining for roughly 50 years across its rang. In France, the breeding population that was estimated to be around 80 pairs in 1960 has declined to 22 in 2002 (before reaching 30 in 2012). From simple local conservation actions in the 70’s to the last two National Action Plans (1999-2004, 2005-2009), knowledge has improved and actions are now well structured. Despite these efforts, Bonelli’s eagle is still considered as « endangered » according to the IUCN national red in France, and remains one of the most threatened raptors in France.
Nearly 40 years of monitoring (including more than 20 years of ringing chicks) have enhanced our knowledge of the basic needs of this species and the factors influencing its population decline in France. Breeding sites availability (cliffs with ledges or cavities, < 700m elevation) as well as hunting area availability (preferentially a mosaic landscape with an open vegetation cover) are essential to the good development of the population. The main threats to this species are electric lines (electrocution, hiting), persecution (shooting, trapping, poisoning) and the loss of hunting areas resulting from human activities (urbanization, disturbance near breeding areas) and from the forest closure of open habitats.
Despite all the actions implemented by an efficient network of stakeholders and partners (ornithologist, NGO’s, public institutions and State services), the French Bonelli’s Eagle population remains fragile and continued efforts are crucial for its conservation. The Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy in France has thus provided financial support for a new National Action Plan as a direct continuation of the previous action plans.
Bonelli’s Eagle is a species for which natural productivity is low, meaning a slow increase in numbers. Therefore, data analysis on a long time period is the only way to assess the actions’ efficiency and justify the choice of designing a new National Action Plan for 10 years.
