WIND GENERATORS A HAZARD FOR GRIFFON VULTURES

Nine griffon vultures are known to have been killed or injured after colliding with the wind generators at Casares, and the Federation of Associations for the Defence of Nature (FAADN) is calling for the Junta de Andalucía's Environmental Department to do more to protect such birds. The vultures are not in danger of extinction but they are a protected species throughout Spain. The first wind generators were installed in 2002 and in April the same year they claimed their first victim, a griffon vulture who lost a wing after hitting one of the propellors. Since then, eight more of the birds have had wings amputated or ribs crushed in similar accidents, and in the latest case, which was in March, the Federation says the vulture died of starvation some time after hitting the generator and could have been saved if the authorities were more vigilant. FAADN is also opposing the installation of four wind energy parks at Cañete La Real, as a large colony of vultures is settled in the area and the death toll could be even higher than at Casares.