The Non-Profit Association SEO/Bird Life issued a statement on Friday, April 24, 2026, requesting a review of the Rally Islas Canarias stages. The aim is to ensure that the competition does not negatively impact the blue chaffinch, an indigenous bird of the island facing a critical conservation status.
The entity proposes avoiding sensitive sections or, alternatively, scheduling the races outside the species' breeding season. This request particularly focuses on high-risk areas, such as the section between Tejeda and San Mateo, where bird collisions have been documented. Therefore, preventive adjustments are demanded to comply with European Conservation Regulations.
“"The entity asks that sensitive sections be avoided or that the races be scheduled outside the animal's breeding period, especially in high-risk areas like the Tejeda - San Mateo section."
Recent census studies of the blue chaffinch estimate a population of only a few hundred individuals. Of these, between 56 and 99 individuals inhabit the island's summit, where part of the rally takes place. These chaffinches are part of a reintroduction program. The environmental organization warns that this stage of the race significantly increases the risk of collisions, particularly on roads like the GC-600, where the bird has been observed feeding on the roadside.
In addition to the direct risk of collision, the influx of spectators, vehicle noise, and habitat disturbance during the race affect the species' reproductive behavior, potentially leading to nest abandonment during the breeding season. This situation is particularly serious, as the blue chaffinch is protected by the island's environmental regulations. The conservation of this species involves considerable economic and human effort, funded by public resources.
