Aerial warriors

THE Murcia City Council is waging an all­out war against mosquitoes, especially the tiger mosquito, which poses a threat to public health due to its potential to transmit tropical diseases.

As temperatures rise and seasons become warmer, mosquitoes have extended their breeding periods, making it imperative to combat them throughout the year.

The council has enlisted the aid of four drones and a helicopter to survey the entire region, identifying and mapping mosquito outbreaks, includ­ ing hard­to­reach areas. The pest control campaign intensifies during the months of significant temperature rise,

Operation Watermelon

FARMERS and the Lorca Local Police are celebrating the early success of ‘Operation Watermelon’, an innovative approach to safeguarding crops from theft in the region. The joint effort initiated a few weeks ago, has effectively deterred thieves from targeting the watermelon crops.

Thanks to the tight surveillance and coordination between the police and nearly 50 farmers, not a single theft has been reported so far.

To bolster security further, police officers are also scrutinising local markets, requesting purchase invoices for melon and watermelon stalls to ensure the produce’s legitimate origin.

This additional measure helps clamp down on illegal sales and trade. However, the farmers are now requesting continued vigilance throughout the winter months, especially for the artichoke and onion crops, which are more susceptible to theft.

In the past, thieves not only stole the crops but also caused significant damage to irrigation infrastructure, disrupting the vital water supply to the fields.

Winged conservation

IN a remarkable conservation effort, two Lesser Kestrels (Falco naumanni or small falcon) were released into Saladares del Guadalentín natural area. The Meles Association, in collaboration with the General Sub directorate of Natural Heritage and Biodiversity of the CARM and the Alhama de Murcia Town Council, led this project.

The kestrels, classified as endangered, joined a group of five others that had been released earlier this year after a period of acclimatisation. All of them were rehabilitated at the Centro de Recuperación de Fauna Silvestre de la Comunidad Autónoma before release. These small birds of from April to November.

Ground­based teams focus on public spaces, watercourses, and irrigation channels, while

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drones conduct localised spraying.

Innovative techniques, like silicone application in swimming pools and biocides that target larvae, have shown promise in curbing mosquito populations. Future experimental methods, like releasing sterile male mosquitoes, are also being explored.

Through collaborative efforts, the council aims to create a safer and healthier environment for the residents of Murcia, ensuring these disease­carrying pests no longer pose a threat to the region.