LINES OF WORK

1.Direction and administration

Logistical support for all areas and projects; budgeting and supervision of different teams working to deadlines; resource management; advertising and publicity, administration and publication; communication with suppliers and other organisations; liaison with private and public bodies.

2. Collection service and sanitary assistance for injured animals

Permanently available vehicle and staff for carrying out emergency collections of injured animals. Continuous contact with the team at the centre. This is a 365 day service for the entire province of Badajoz, Extremadura.

3. Admittance to the wildlife recovery centre.

a) Clinic

This is where all injured animals are taken on arriving at the centre. From this moment, a medical record of the individual is established. Alongside this, medical and therapeutic guidelines are followed while taking samples and performing diagnosis (microbiology, biopsy, haematology, coprology, x-ray, biochemical and toxicological tests)

b) Operating theatre

Among all cases requiring surgical intervention the highest number involves fractures (open and closed) in wings and limbs. We use cutting-edge equipment to ensure the patient has the highest possible chance of recovery.

c) Care station

Individuals needing maximum post-surgical care are taken to this department and monitored carefully to check for the possible onset of infections and post-operative shock. We use oxygen, heat, fluids, medication and essential foods to ensure care of the highest quality is administered.

d) Autopsy

In cases that have died prior to arrival at the centre, a full autopsy is carried out, taking necessary samples for pathological, toxicological or microbiological analysis.

4.- Neonatal/ Incubation area

A special unit catering for the ingression of eggs and chicks from wild clutches of species like European Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus and Montagu´s Harrier Circus pygargus, that become part of various captive breeding programmes at the centre. The equipment is also used for rearing eggs and clutches of other species of wild bird brought into the centre in the spring months.

5.- Observation area

In this closed area, all cases that progress from the care station are lodges for a longer period to check for parasitic infections, muscular or skeletal problems, nutricional problems etc) or to provide specific requirements for species needing special conditions to aid their full recuperation.

6.-Rehabilitation

After all the previous stages it is necessary to perform a variety of specific physiological and psychological tests tailored for the precise requirements in the wild for a particular species. This is most important when dealing with patients that are captive bred. Examined risks include the perception of danger and responses to it, the ability to hunt and catch live prey, the ability to hide and avoid combat, the ability to defend, to negotiate obstacles and the ability to fly properly and strongly. Individuals are not released into the wild unless they complete these tests.

7.-Liberation and Radio-tracking

This work is carried out in the field, out with the centre: the release of individuals back into the wild. Much care is taken to time and date releases according to optimum times for each species, as well as selecting suitable habitat and the manner of release (by hand or by release pen). This team is supported by volunteers who carry out radio-tracking telemetry programmes, and design, construct and maintain “hacking” release pens in selected woodlands, sierras and old buildings in the field.

8.-Captive Breeding

In the centre we captively breed species with different levels of conservation threat. We attend to the breeding programme seriously, always adhering to UICN standards. Through trial and error we have developed an unique breeding programme with considerable success for Montagu´s Harrier and we have recently begun a similar programmer for European Marsh Harrier. At the same time, we have developed a fostering programme for orphaned chicks of nocturnal raptors like Eurasian Eagle Owl, Barn Owl, Tawny Owl, Little Owl and Scops Owl, using irrecuperable adults as foster pairs. We are currently branching out to implement a similar programme for diurnal raptors like Short-toed Eagle, Booted Eagle, Peregrine Falcon and Red Kite.

9.-Food preparation

All dietary concerns, food preparation and implementation are taken care of in this area, where we also provide live prey. We have a large kitchen with refrigeration and freezing facility, and a fully-fitted breeding area for rats and mice.

10.-Energy and maintenance

Of upmost importance is ensuring that increased admittance of wild animals to the centre is met with an adequate supply of hot water and electricity. We need to ensure that these services run even if there is a break in the regional power supply: the smooth functioning of water pumps in the installations for aquatic species, the ventilation and lighting in the dry installations and the availability of live prey installations for patients about to be released are all vital for the continued efficiency of the whole centre.