The Royal Kite, more closely watched than ever

The Royal Kite, (Milvus milvus) is certainly the vertebrate animal that is most danger of extinction of the Mallorcan fauna. This year only 6 couples have been seen, of which only 3 have managed to reproduce. The result has been 8 new kites, that began to fly over the Mallorcan skies at the beginning of July.

The following of these birds is possible thanks to the technique of radiotracking that the GOB has set up this year with the support of the Environment Council of the Balearics. This technique consists in placing a radio transmitter in the animal and following the signal emitted. Once the animal has been freed, the signal facilitates its posterior localisation via the help of a radio receptor and a directional aerial. Biotrack transmitors have been used and they weigh 30 grams with a life of three years, which facilitates the control of the animal until it becomes an adult.

With a view to continue receiving information of the animals once the battery has died, the kites have been fitted with plastic marks on their wings, with letters and numbers that can be read with binoculars or telescopes. Therefore anyone who observes these birds can supply valuable information.

Last July 28, and after receiving the death signal of one of the royal kites, its body was found in a water tank in Santa Maria. The remains of the animal were sent to the Instituto de Salud Carlos III de Ecotoxicología (Madrid), to determine the cause of death. At first sight, it seems that the animal drowned but there may be the possibility of poisoning before it fell into the water.

Date of publication: 23/08/2000

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