THE BONELLI'S EAGLE IN DANGER: Ecologists ask the Prosecutor to investigate the actions at the Agroparc of Ametller Origen for destroying the protected habitat in Gelida
The Bosc Verd Ecologist Collective has filed a complaint with the Environmental Prosecutor's Office in Barcelona regarding the works that Ametller Origen is carrying out at the Agroparc project in Gelida. The ecologists are asking the Prosecutor to open an investigation for a possible offence against the environment and for disobeying a court order that required the works to be halted within the eagle's vital area until compensatory measures for its relocation had been implemented and verified.
Protected Species at Irreversible Risk
The core of the complaint is the severe danger facing the Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata), a bird listed as an Endangered Species whose protection is safeguarded by European, national, and regional legislation. The area being developed for the Agroparc completely overlaps with the territory that the pair of eagles from Gelida use for hunting and resting. Experts warn that the damage being caused could be irreversible and jeopardises the survival of the species in this area.
Furthermore, the area affected by the works (the Can Joncoses and La Talaia sector) is entirely within the most important area for eagle hunting (the so-called kernel 50%). A 2022 report by the Wildlife and Flora Service (SFF) had already stated that the industrial project was "incompatible with the survival of the eagles" and that it would constitute a "death sentence for them" if its conditions were not met..
Ametller Origin Executes Massive Works Despite the Court Order
The complaint highlights that Ametller Origin began massive earthworks just after being notified of a court decision requiring the suspension of the works.
- On 28 July 2025, a court in Barcelona ordered, through precautionary measures, the suspension of the works within the critical area(the area with the highest likelihood of eagle presence, technically known as kernel 80%or higher).
- The suspension was to remain in place until it was verified and certified that the measures to relocate the eagle to a new hunting area had been successful. These compensatory measure shave not yet begun.
- Despite this court order, Ametller Origin initiated large earthworks and construction within the protected area. This activity initially affected an area of approximately 2 hectares before the Mossos d'Esquadra and the Rural Agents halted the works initially on 6 August.
- However, the massive earthworks were subsequently resumed on 18 September.
- The planned excavation volume in the Can Joncoses sector is over 720,000 cubic metres, a quantity so large that the judge considered it concerning, and which is equivalent to almost the dimensions of 300 Olympic swimming pools.
"Inaction" of the administrations in the face of the destruction of the habitat of an endangered species
The Bosc Verd Ecologist Collective not only points to Ametller Origen as the material executor, but also highlights the "manifest inaction" of the competent administrations.
On one hand, from the Gelida Town Council to whom, according to the complaint, the Gelida Naturalists Association has warned on several occasions about the non-compliance with the precautionary measure. However, the Mayor's office has only issued a Decree last August that gave the company10 working daysto decide which actions it should suspend, which allowed land movements to continue within the kernel 80% until the halt by the Mossos d’Esquadra.
The court, in a subsequent ruling, warned the Town Council and the company that the failure to comply with the dictated measures could lead to criminal liabilities.
But also, from the Government, for its responsibility in ensuring the compliance with environmental laws and the protection of endangered species, as well as ensuring the application of the precautionary measures established by the judge.
The environmental group requests the Public Prosecutor's Office to order the immediate halt of the works in the most sensitive area for the eagles and that it clears all responsibilities.
