News
Juvenile Imperial Eagle Darik II, who was tracked by the BSPB from 2010 with a satellite transmitter within the project LIFE+ “Save the Raptors”, was found dead near the town of Karnobat. The bird was discovered by a citizen who contacted the office of BSPB. The body of the eagle was taken by a BSPB expert and driven to the Wildlife Rescue Center of the Green Balkans in Stara Zagora to clarify the cause of death.
The initial examination of the body show extremely low weight of only 2600 grams. An X ray was appointed and it indicates the presence of small shots in the left wing of the bird. A subsequent autopsy found a high degree of exhaustion, which according to veterinary experts of the Center is the direct cause of the death. Samples of organs were sent for chemical-toxicological and bacteriological analyzes are most likely to be negative. However, Green Balkans’ experts will wait until make the final veterinary report.
Whatever they show, the Green Balkans’ and BSPB’s representatives are agree that the poaching caused the fatal outcome of the bird. It is possible that the bird doesn’t die by the shooting itself, but later due to exhaustion and inability to fly and hunt.
The conservation organizations informed the competent government authorities about the case of the dead endangered species. The Imperial Eagle is a protected species under the Biodiversity Act of the Republic of Bulgaria and a number of international conventions. We recall that the Criminal Code of the Republic of Bulgaria stipulates imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 Levs in destruction, retention or sale of European or endangered wildlife.
We call on society to intolerance of such brazen crimes because they rob our national heritage - the precious landscape and rare species that are trying to preserve for future generations. If you have information about the poaching of endangered species or other crimes against wildlife, please contact the office of the BSPB.
