Temporary Hunting Ban in Lanzarote Following Poisoning Incident
The Cabildo of Lanzarote, through its Hunting Department, announced late on Wednesday that the temporary ban on hunting activities in the northern part of the island will remain in effect, following the confirmation of a new episode of wildlife poisoning in the municipality of Haría.
It was the Gamekeepers who alerted the Environmental Agents of the Cabildo to the discovery of at least four dead specimens of the Canary Island raven (Corvus corax canariensis), a species classified as endangered. After notifying the Government of the Canary Islands, the regional authority has recommended extending the temporary hunting ban in Haría beyond the originally scheduled deadline of 3 September.
The Cabildo has reactivated protocols from the Canary Vigilance Network and the Canary Strategy against the Illegal Use of Poison, to facilitate the collection of samples and carcasses for analysis.
Samuel Martín, the Cabildo’s councillor for the Environment and Hunting, stated, “Given the Government’s suggestion following the discovery in an area where previous poisonings have occurred, it would be reckless to proceed with reopening, as there is no guarantee of safety for either animals or hunters.”
Martín communicated this decision to both the Lanzarote Hunters’ Society and the Haría City Council, reminding them that if validated by the competent authority, the temporary closure will be compensated by extending the hunting season in the northern area to minimise impacts on the hunting community.
Normal Activities Elsewhere on the Island
The councillor emphasised the “irresponsibility of allowing reopening when there are suspicions of ongoing indiscriminate poisoning in the municipality of Haría,” and urged citizens to assist in clarifying the situation and identifying potential perpetrators.
Meanwhile, as agreed in the last meeting of the Insular Hunting Council, hunting activities are proceeding normally in the rest of the island, while fieldwork and intensive monitoring continue in the north.
Cabildo Communication
The Cabildo of Lanzarote has recently informed the Hunters’ Society and the Haría City Council of the continued preventive measures via the following statement:
“In light of the new cases of poisoning detected in the same area as previous incidents in the municipality of Haría, and based on recommendations from the Government of the Canary Islands, the preventive measure of a temporary ban on hunting activities in this municipality will remain in place.
Once safety is guaranteed and the ban is lifted, an extraordinary Insular Hunting Council will be convened to assess the possibility of extending hunting days.”
