Spain: Clinic for injured wildlife

DW (English)

At Europe’s largest wildlife clinic, vets and carers treat injured birds, reptiles and mammals. The animals are often brought here by hikers or forest workers. More than 6,500 of them were treated at the center in one year.

Transcript

00:00Another feathery friend rescued thanks to Nacho Otero.

00:06He nursed the kestrel back to health in a Spanish wildlife clinic.

00:10The bird of prey had flown into a fence and injured its leg.

00:14After being tagged, it'll be released.

00:18Releasing them into the wild is the most beautiful moment.

00:25Some fall by the wayside, but all of us here do our best

00:29to ensure as many animals as possible survive.

00:38We're in Mahada Onda, on the outskirts of Madrid,

00:41visiting Europe's largest wildlife veterinary clinic.

00:45In just one year, 6,500 native animals were treated here.

00:51Brought in by hikers or foresters, mainly birds, but also reptiles.

00:57And the odd oinking mammal.

01:02This baby wild boar was found roaming around alone after a hunt.

01:06Most likely its mother was shot.

01:09Wild boars are not protected.

01:11In fact, several places have problems with population control.

01:15Still, they will treat the little squeaker.

01:21We might release this animal in a hunting reserve,

01:24or it might migrate to an area where hunting is allowed.

01:28But it can survive.

01:30We don't decide which animals can be shot and which cannot.

01:34But in this facility, everyone gets a chance.

01:43Another team examines an eagle owl.

01:46The bird was shot. One of its eyes had to be removed.

01:52But vet Fernando González is confident that it can be released back into the wild.

01:58After all, owls are nocturnal and rely mainly on their hearing.

02:08On first examination, we discovered that he had been hit several times, once in the eye.

02:15Unfortunately, we see quite a lot of this here.

02:19Too many protected animals being shot at.

02:26Like all birds of prey, eagle owls are protected in Spain and mustn't be hunted.

02:36It's an environmental crime, and that's how we deal with it.

02:40We perform autopsies and report to the authorities, so the offence can be legally pursued.

02:48This griffon vulture didn't make it. It hit a power line.

02:52Irene López finds severe burns on its wing.

02:56Even electrocutions like this are treated as criminal offences, not as accidents.

03:02Energy companies must take action.

03:08Unfortunately, this happens quite often.

03:11Although we actively search for dangerous spots,

03:13asking energy companies to better insulate their power lines,

03:16birds keep dying, especially the big ones.

03:25Some animals have to stay here for good.

03:28With severe injuries, they wouldn't stand a chance in the wild.

03:35Unlike Nacho's kestrel, which is ready to leave the clinic and show off its abilities in the wild.

03:44It can fly over a hundred kilometres per hour, but its head stays steady.

03:49If it didn't, it wouldn't be able to hunt.

03:52Look, its head always stays still.

03:58The time has almost come.

04:01A thrill that never gets old for Nacho and his colleagues.

04:07It touches you.

04:10No matter the animal, be it inconspicuous or even majestic, it's always something special.

04:18Finally, the moment of truth.

04:27The kestrel soars again.

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