The "alleged" 2500 Spanish Ibex north of Madrid.

Impossible not to write about this issue that has the Spanish capital's hunting fraternity concerned to say the least. Although the call of the regional government in Madrid to hunters to kull 2500 animals seams "innocent", perhaps it isn't at all...

In reality, "reliable sources" in Madrid, confirm that no decision has been taken, and in fact it's still not clear as to how this issue should be managed. Still on the table is also the possibility that the whole matter is nothing more than "senstaional journalism" ...

Vídeo recorded by a friend two weeks ago en "la Pedriza", Sierra de Guadaramma.

About the Spanish Ibex...
It is true that 30 years ago, 70 animals were artificially introduced in the Sierra de Guadaramma range that is one hour north of the capital, Madrid. It doesn't sound at all like a lot but 30 years without any natural predators, and for a rugged animal that is wonderfully adapted for even the harshest conditions resulted in a population that "officially" exceeds 5000 animals. In my experience, "official" census usually come in under the mark and there is talk in some circles about "more than..."

The case is that, effectively, if things are allowed to continue, you can imagine that in 10 years, these "more than" 5000, will have multiplied "in more than", 15000, perhaps even more. It is therefore already an emergency situation that could have been easily avoided if the right control measures had been taken in past years.  

And here in lies the problem. The current situation, is the result of a lack of management in previous years. Without a natural predator (and there isn't one as its an introduced specie!) in the area in question, the ecosystem has begun to lose its balance and both fauna and flora, have begun to feel the over population of the Spanish Ibex and some species may disappear completely as a result...

Ok, so past aside, we are where we are, you would imagine that a plan would be formed to "sacrifice" 2500 animals in 5 years. Right from the start there has arisen a problem, the press could have reported a plan for managed hunting of 2500, but instead the terminology is to kill to sacrifice 2500 animals.

Hunting implies getting the right licenses, then the hunter has to follow a fair code of conduct, and finally the animal is harvested. Kill or Sacrifice (which is what is allegedy being organised) means that the hunter will not have to pay or be paid, and that the animal will not be harvested, instead left for carrion for the vultures, with the solution being simply put a "masacre by firing squad". Can this issue not be handled in a different way...?

Could a kull or "descaste" not be organised instead, and although they don't normally produce a memorable day's hunting, they are from time to time necessary. That said, however, even in kulls, saving for cause of disease, the kulled animals are harvested.

... and here is where the controversy has arisen in the hunting fraternity, if we take the headlines as being accurate... On the one hand, hunters always are willing to roll-up their sleeves if its necessary to control an out of control population or diseased population. Hunters have always in my experience been the first to want to help in any action that has as its aim the conservation of sustainable populations. However, for years, the voice of hunters has been ignored on this matter, and meanwhile the inevitable has occurred and the population has soared, it is curious that the regional adiministration has "put out a call" to hunters, that in these "green and ecological" times, it is the hunters that are being asked to front the the economic and social cost and be the appointed "assasins" of these animals. 

The debate is on ... was there any need to make such a big fuss in the press here in Madrid?.... could a catch and release program not have been organised to repopulate other areas?.... Could licences "precintos" not have been auctioned at a reasonable price, many of us would have taken part... but no,  instead what is allegedly being "offered" is a call to organise a masacre ...

I can understand hunters that do not want to take part in such an activity especially where the animal is not harvested. I also can understand hunters that do want to take the chance to enjoy a day's hunt, enjoy the "shot" and collaborate to control the species... however, depending on how such an event is organised it could be or not be a memorable shot as these spanish ibex are completely acustomed to human presence and often come near to be hand fed ... I don't know of anyone who calls themselves a hunter who would want to take part if its organised in such a way ...

If in fact, the regional Madrid goverment has still not taken a decision, I have many questions and doubts:

Why have these headlines been managed in such a way as to go viral?
Why are solutions being planned in this way and why now?
Is the regional Madrid government really asking hunters to form a "firing squad"?

Would be interesting to hear your views and how these matters are handled in other countries...