The necropsy carried out in the Recovery Center of Vallcalent (Lleida) confirmed that ‘Trasgu’ had died as a result of a shot of a firearm.

Unfortunately for the project of Reintroduction of the Black Vulture in the Pyrenees, it is not the first time that things like this have happened; other two individuals of the project have been shooting in the area of Organyà. One of them with the result of death and the other one disabled for life in freedom.

This time also, there has been a hunter without conscience the author of the death of ‘Trasgu’, an illegal hunter.

The gps marked a fixed position, and when the project technicians came to the indicated point only could see the worst of our wishes: ‘Trasgu’s body lay dead with clear signs of having been shot.

‘Trasgu’ at the time of being found by technicians of the project. © Boumort-Alinyà work-team

‘Trasgu’

‘Trasgu’, was a individual who came from Asturias, as a result of dispersive movements of an young exemplary. In 2013, and after recovering process in Infiesto (Asturias) and GREFA (Madrid), was released in the catalan Pyrenees.

With the death of ‘Trasgu’ the objective that the species return to breed on the mountain of Alinyà is complicated. This individual was already fixed and we were hoping that it should breed soon.

This facts sadden us deeply and makes us conscious of major threats of the most fragile wildlife. but encourages us more in a work that we consider fundamental for the conservation of species which, like the black vulture, need so ambitious conservation programs.

‘Trasgu’ flying after being released. © Boumort-Alinyà work-team

To learn more about the project, you can visit the section Reintroduction of the black vulture (Aegypius monachus) in the Pyrenees in this same web page.

The reintroduction project of the Black Vulture in the Pyrenees is promoted by the Departament d’Agricultura, Ramaderia, Pesca, Alimentació i Medi Natural de la Generalitat de Catalunya and by the Fundació Catalunya – La Pedrera. GREFA and Trenca are involved in the assisment and implementation of the Project, toghether with the staff of the Espai Natura Muntanya d’Alinyà and the NHR of Boumort. Obra Social “La Caixa” (with the support of Generalitat de Catalunya) and REE participate in a remarkable manner to the financing of the project.