article_detail
Date Published: 09/08/2022
ARCHIVED - Born to be wild: Murcia rehabilitates and releases 500 rescue animals
The El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre in Murcia currently houses more than 2,000 animals
So far this year, some 520 animals have been released back into the wild in the Region of Murcia after being nursed back to health at the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre. The invaluable facility is facing an upward battle however as more and more species require its help, and there are currently 2,381 creatures being cared for by the experts, including nine poisonous flies and 39 exotic animals.
On Tuesday August 9, the Minister of Water, Agriculture, Fisheries, Environment and Emergencies praised the hard work of the shelter when he attended the release of a white stork at the Terra Natura park.
“The permanent work to conserve our natural heritage also includes the collection of animals with problems, their treatment and release, to maintain biodiversity and the benefits that this entails,” he added.
Rescue workers took the baby stork from its nest on May 3 after one of its parents died and it was in danger of starving. The little chick was in reasonably good health but required some fluid therapy and vitamin supplementation. Once this was done the bird began to thrive and staff prepared it for its return to the wild.
This species is a common sight in the Region of Murcia at the beginning of September as it travels on its migratory route, but it is listed as a ‘special interest’ animal in the National Catalogue of Endangered Species.
As with so many wild birds, the biggest challenge facing the white stork is the destruction of its natural habitat, along with electrocution on power lines and the untimely death of newborn chicks caused by plastics being used to build nests.
The El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre is funded by the ERDF Region of Murcia Operation Program, which tags all of the animals its releases so that scientists can track their movements in an effort to improve habitats and ensure the conservation of the Spain’s native species.
Image: CARM
Loading
Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox
Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)
OR
you can sign up to our FREE weekly roundup!
Read some of our recent bulletins:
25% Discount Special Offer subscription:
36.95€ for 48 Editor’s Weekly News Roundup bulletins!
Please CLICK THE BUTTON to subscribe.
(List price 3 months 12 Bulletins)
Read more stories from around Spain:
Contact Spanish News Today: Editorial 966 260 896 /
Office 968 018 268