Newspaper / EFE
The fall of shearwater chickens due to light pollution is affecting different centers on the island of Tenerife this first week of November, especially in the South. The absence of a full moon aggravates this problem and the calls for the collection of these animals have suffered a peak, with 210 incidents notified to the Cabildo de Tenerife, according to the Cope chain.
The Councilor for Natural Environment and Security Management of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Isabel García, asks citizens for “patience” when she comes across any of these chickens and indicates that “it is an animal that does not need immediate attention, just put it in a box airy and wait for us to take care of you ”.
“We are registering a very high incidence this year,” Garcia assured the aforementioned media. “We have extra equipment and reinforcement of personnel, but even so we have a lot of calls.” Likewise, remember that in the event of any finding, you should contact the telephone numbers 900 28 22 28 or 922 44 57 77, or you can notify the Local Police, Civil Protection or ADAE.
The Cabildo Majorero activates a protocol
The Cabildo de Fuerteventura has announced this Wednesday that a specific protocol has been activated by the Environment Service that includes an exhaustive monitoring of the Barranco de Río Cabras area, in Puerto del Rosario, after several specimens of shearwater have appeared dead on the spot.
Specifically, these are eight shearwater pups that were found dead last Monday on the highway at the height of the Río Cabras ravine.
In a statement, the Cabildo Majorero explained that, given the lighting installation works that are currently being carried out in the area, it has asked the company awarded the work to turn off the lighting during the breeding season of this species. , As a precautionary measure.
The Cabildo de Fuerteventura is in the middle of the cinderella shearwater campaign, having activated preventive protection and conservation actions since the beginning of October.
This time is considered the most critical for the species, as it is threatened by predators, light pollution and illegal hunting. The rugged shearwaters appear in different sections of the island territory.
From the Environment Service it is recalled that, before the discovery of injured fauna, it is necessary to notify 112 or authority agents. In no case should the injured specimens be taken, as this could make the investigation difficult, he warns.
And remember that at the end of October, the shearwater takes advantage of the darkness of the night, leaves its nests and goes to the sea guided by the light of the moon. Due to the light pollution of the coasts, they are dazzled and deviate from their natural path, heading towards the towns, where they collide with different obstacles (street lamps, lights, buildings, cars, etc.) and fall to the ground.
