Seprona recovered two eagle owl specimens in less than three hours and is investigating the death of one of them, which was presumed to have been caused by the use of poisoned baits. At exactly 9:30 a.m. last Wednesday, the operational center was received into service … A notice from a citizen warns of the discovery of a dead bird of prey in a field in the municipality of Villaconegos. A patrol from Rivas Vassia Madrid headed to the place, verified that it was an eagle owl and proceeded to collect it. The bird showed clear symptoms consistent with poisoning.
Just two hours later, the same patrol responded to a second call, this time in the town of Praia del Tajo. There they found another eagle owl alive, but trapped in a wire fence with a possible broken wing. After carefully releasing him, agents transported him for a veterinary evaluation.
Both specimens were transported to the Center for the Recovery of Wild Birds (CRAS) in Tres Cantos. In the case of a deceased owl, a necropsy is planned to determine the exact cause of death and confirm whether poison was used. The second sample will receive specialized treatment for its recovery.
The Civil Guard is conducting an open investigation to clarify where poisoned baits were placed, an illegal practice that poses a serious threat to wildlife.
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