Asturias white-tailed eagle reintroduction sparks ecological debate

Five years after the reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in Asturias, Spain, debate continues regarding the necessity and ecological impact of the project. In 2021, following the species' classification as extinct in the Spanish natural environment, 25 individuals from Norway were released to restore the population.

According to data from Ecoticias, 17 of the released eagles have survived, with 12 forming pairs and producing chicks in the wild. While supporters like GREFA argue the eagle serves a positive role in the ecosystem, critics such as the Coordinadora Ecoloxista d'Asturies question the decision. They argue the species is not globally threatened and express concern that the eagle, a voracious predator of fish, birds, and mammals, could disrupt local ecological balances. Some experts also question whether there is sufficient evidence that the species historically inhabited the region.