Increasing impact on crops
Farmers in the Plana de Lleida have given significant damage to 2,067 plots between January and March, an alarming figure that represents an increase of five times compared to the 418 complaints recorded during the previous quarter. This increase is linked to the seasonal crops, which requires a rigorous monitoring to evaluate the need to implement exceptional measures in affected areas.
Most affected crops
Most damage was recorded in cereal crops, with 1,295 affected plots. Other crops such as sweet fruit, olive grove and shell fruits have also suffered the consequences of the overpopulation of rabbits. However, according to Jaume Feixa, director of the Territorial Agriculture Services, the cereal situation is better than in previous years thanks to the rains this year, which have facilitated healthy growth and provided more food sources for rabbits.
Actions to control the population of rabbits
After receiving complaints through a mobile application, territorial services activate a protocol that includes visits to the affected estates to determine the magnitude of the damage and the population density of rabbits. This allows you to establish nighttime actions, in collaboration with hunting reserves and rural agents.
Significant increase in catches
The Minister of Agriculture, Oscar Ordeig, said that rabbit catches have increased significantly, with a total of 26,694 catches recorded between January and March, a figure six times higher than in the previous quarter. This hunting emergency, declared for overpopulation, has mobilized resources and has had the collaboration of hunters.
Collaboration between sectors
The coordination between farmers, hunters and the administration is key in the management of this situation. According to Feixa, hunters are essential for combating the hunting crisis, significantly contributing to the conservation of the territory and wildlife. Capture data provided by private hunting areas reflect the importance of this collaboration.
Problems associated with kinetic wildlife
In addition to damage to agriculture, the overpopulation of rabbits and wild boars generates traffic accidents. Studies indicate that three out of four agricultural damage are caused by these animals, and nine out of ten traffic accidents caused by wildlife are attributed to wild boars. In addition, hunting fauna is a vector of diseases such as tuberculosis, which can affect the health of the herd.
Future perspectives and measures underway
The hunting emergency, which was declared on March 30, 2023, has led to a series of measures aimed at controlling the population of rabbits. Among them, the use of night capture techniques with special viewers. This situation is expected to continue after the administrative end of the emergency, with a new population control plan already prepared and in the period of public exhibition, which seeks to guarantee the collaboration between all the agents involved.