The Ria Formosa Wildlife Research and Recovery Center has returned more than 200 animals back to their wild habitats in the last two months
In June and July, RIAS in Olhão, receives 649 animals, an average of 11 animals per day.
The work of RIAS is impressive with 1,110 animals delivered to its facilities since the beginning of the year.
Animals are dropped off by individuals and by the Nature Conservation and Forestry Institute and the GNR’s animal welfare teams.
The centre currently is looking after 157 animals, including eagles, owls, hawks, storks, hedgehogs, swallows and one otter.
Staff at RIAS say that during the summer, the work at the recovery centre is more intense as more people in the region means that more animals in distress are spotted, especially birds which have fouled up their maiden flights.
RIAS is open all year and takes in injured wild animals found in the Algarve and in the lower Alentejo. In the last three years "there has been a substantial increase in the number of animals arriving at the center, with 2016 being the record year with 1,977 animals taken in,” reveals RIAS staff.
With regard to the return to nature, in June and July, 202 animals were released after treatment, some 50% of all releases made this year.
RIAS functions with the help of volunteers and donations from individuals and businesses. The specialist centre has a fixed team of only five staff.
For more information, see: http://rias-aldeia.blogspot.pt/
