Hunters with a Boc Balear in Mallorca

Hunters in Mallorca. | MDB

Andrew EdePalma23/07/2023 08:41
TW
12

According to the website mallorcahunting.com, the Mallorcan wild goat, Boc Balear, is one of the most sought-after species in the world of hunting nationally and internationally. It is the only big game in the Balearics, and Mallorca is the only place in the world where this "exclusive trophy" can be obtained.

This demand helps to explain why a criminal element has taken an interest. Theft of the animals from fincas authorised by the Council of Mallorca has been occurring. Depending on the Boc, the price can be up to 6,000 euros.

Ten years ago there were only six authorised fincas. There are now thirteen and the number continues to grow. But there aren't enough animals for all these fincas; hence the thefts. Owners and hunters want regulation for big game. Some 60 Bocs were hunted last year. This could rise to 100, "if order is not put in place". The Council is being urged to create a specific department for regulation. It just so happens that the new vice-president for the environment is Pedro Bestard of Vox, who recently resigned as the president of the hunters federation.

Safari Club International is an American hunting organisation with some 50,000 members. As the Balearic Boc has become increasingly "fashionable", there has been a rise in the number of hunters from the US. The growing number of fincas reflects this demand, but owners affected by the robberies want the Council to act quickly in order to prevent over-speculation and there being too many hunters.

Even so, there are calls for hunting to be included in tourism promotion. It is argued that it is a product that tackles tourism seasonality and attracts high-spending visitors.