His Royal Highness the King of Spain Juan Carlos, as Head of State in a modern European democracy, is apparently
still tied to feudal principles, rights and behaviour.
On 10th of October 2004, during a visit to Romania, King Juan Carlos shot and killed
9 Brown Bears Ursus arctos arctos, 3 Wild boars Sus scrofa and a Eurasian Wolf Canis lupus lupus. He also visited Poland
recently to hunt the European Bison or Wisent Bison bonasus bonasus. King Juan Carlos is a well-known hunter and bullfight aficionado and this is not the first time that he has hunted
protected species in these countries.
Most people in a modern Europe expect their Heads of State,
particularly royalty who have an especially privileged position, to represent the best aspects of their country abroad and
set an example to their own citizens or subjects.
This form of ‘European Big Game’ trophy hunting is unworthy of those we elect or
permit to represent us and belongs to the past. In the cases referred to it is uncomfortably reminiscent of the former leaders
of those and other East European countries whose ‘hunting’ excesses were matched by their treatment of their own
people.
WHAT YOU CAN DO!
Please send an email to the Spanish Royal Palace protesting at this outdated form of lèse majesté
– in this case disrespect or irreverence for animal life, conservation efforts and public environmental education –
by clicking on the link below:
A draft text is provided for your use; but if you wish to write in your own words, and especially
in your own language, this is likely to have an even greater impact. You should make the points that:
Heads of state, in particular
royalty, are expected to set an example for their citizens and others
They should also not consider
themselves above the law and regulations set by the European Commission
Killing of protected species
shows a lack of environmental concern and a callousness towards the conservation efforts being made by governments and individuals
King Juan Carlos should
strive towards modern royal social behaviour; and not risk comparison with the tyrants of yesteryear.
If you have time please add the email address of the Spanish Embassy in your own country –
a selection of email addresses is given below the draft mail.
Subject:
SLAUGHTER OF PROTECTED ANIMALS – A POOR EXAMPLE FOR A MODERN HEAD OF STATE TO SET
By electronic mail to:
HRH King Juan Carlos I of Spain
Your Majesty,
The news of your slaughter of 9 Brown Bears Ursus arctos arctos and other endangered wild animal
species during your recent visit to Romania and Poland can only be greeted with disbelief and revulsion in the European Union and
elsewhere.
As Head of a democratic state, a leading member of the European Union, you have a special responsibility
towards the development of modern environmental standards and education. As head of the hereditary royal house of Bourbon
this responsibility is indeed greater. You are expected to set an example for others to follow and not to ride roughshod over
European efforts to conserve species supported by your government and many of your subjects.
This form of ‘European Big Game’ trophy hunting is unworthy of those we elect or
permit to represent us and belongs to the past. We hope that the name of the House of Bourbon will not be remembered in the
same context as that of the former leaders of East European countries whose ‘hunting’ excesses were only matched
by their treatment of their own people.
In many of your public announcements you have stressed the importance of the European Union in the contemporary world. It is to be hoped that, in
this respect, you will soon take a public stand FOR the conservation and protection of
our endangered species of flora and fauna as part of our common natural heritage.
In the conviction that you will strive to set an example against the needless killing of animals
who also have a right to share our environment we remain,
