450 Wild Animals Rescued Last Year by the Environment Agency
The Cabildo of Fuerteventura rescued or removed 647 individuals in 2025, averaging almost two interventions per day, with 64 % of the cases concentrated in the municipalities of La Oliva and Pájara.
The Environment Services of the Cabildo recorded an average of two wildlife‑related actions per day throughout 2025, covering protected species such as Cory’s shearwaters, loggerhead turtles and canary buzzards, as well as exotic animals like iguanas.
- Rescues: 454 live wild animals were recovered.
- Removals: 193 dead specimens were collected, bringing the total to 647 interventions.
- Additional cases: Two live animals from Lanzarote and four from Gran Canaria were also handled.
Municipal distribution of interventions
- La Oliva – 33 % of total
- Pájara – 31 % of total
- Puerto del Rosario – 20 % of total
- Tuineje – 8 % of total
- Antigua – 6 % of total
- Betancuria – 1 % of total
The Cabildo highlighted these figures in a statement, praising the Environment Department’s effort to preserve the ecosystems that shelter Fuerteventura’s wildlife.
From Shearwaters to Iguanas: 647 Animals Rescued in 2025
The rescued or removed animals belonged to 85 different species. The most frequently encountered were:
- Cory’s shearwater – 183 cases
- Yellow‑legged gull – 44 cases
- Loggerhead turtle – 40 cases
- Turkish turtle dove – 30 cases
Other notable counts include:
- Common iguanas – 24 cases
- Bulwer’s petrels – 22 cases
- Common kestrels – 20 cases
- Canary buzzards – 17 cases
- Crows – 16 cases
- Little bustards – 15 cases
These species represent a significant share of the total incidents, suggesting heightened vulnerability linked to their biology, behavior, abundance, or human interaction.
A peak of activity occurred in October and November, when 244 of the 647 interventions took place, coinciding with the fledging of Cory’s shearwater chicks and a rise in related accidents.
Alert System and Rapid Response
“This service keeps our ecosystems healthy by rescuing injured animals for treatment at the La Oliva Biological Station and removing dead specimens that could spread infection through the food chain,” said Carlos Rodríguez, Environment Counselor of the Cabildo.
Counselor Rodríguez also participated in the release of a recovered guirre (a small passerine). He emphasized that the 454 live animals admitted to the La Oliva Biological Station “were largely saved thanks to the alert system and the swift action of the Environment agents, which enable their recovery and eventual re‑introduction into the ecosystem.”