Oliva Biological Station Collects 650 Specimens in 2024

Among the animals attended are guirres, sea turtles, kestrels, cetaceans, rabbits, among others.

The Biological Station of La Oliva houses a variety of areas and facilities, including a wildlife recovery centre, a production nursery, a necropsy room, a mother‑plant garden and seedling plot, an environmental‑education classroom, a didactic garden, and flight cages.

In particular, the wildlife recovery centre focuses on animals that are admitted for various reasons and require specialized care, with the primary goal of returning them to their natural habitat after the necessary treatment.

So far this year, more than 215 live animals of different species have been admitted, 77 % of them birds. Almost 650 specimens were collected during 2024, of which about 430 arrived alive, underscoring the magnitude of the work carried out at the station.

To handle this workload, the centre is equipped with:

• Isolation cages and flight cages
• A basic first‑aid clinic and an intensive‑care unit (ICU) where veterinary assessments are performed to start appropriate treatment
• One of the largest cages in the Canary Islands, specifically designed to strengthen the musculature of recovering birds and ensure they are ready for release

For animals that cannot be rehabilitated, the facility provides suitable accommodation, prioritising captive‑breeding projects and contributing to the understanding of species biology as an educational tool.

Migratory and Resident Birds

The Recovery Centre continues to receive a high volume of reports, especially from the municipalities of La Oliva, Pájara, and Puerto del Rosario. The busiest periods are April–July (breeding and migratory season) and October–November, when Atlantic storm‑petrel chicks (Calonectris borealis) make their first flights and are affected by light pollution.

Species Frequently Attended

• Island‑nesting birds such as the aguililla, guirre, Tagarote falcon, and kestrel
• Uncommon migratory birds that arrive exhausted after long journeys, increasing their risk of collisions, road‑kill, or predation

In August, the centre received specimens like the cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) and the European honey‑buzzard (Clamator glandarius). The previous year saw arrivals of:

• European golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus)
• European nightjar (Otus scops)
• Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica)
• Eurasian wryneck (Jynx torquilla)
• Lesser kestrel (Falco subbuteo)

Sea Turtles and Marine Fauna

Marine‑turtle care is also a core activity of the centre. In 2024, 51 turtles were admitted, 24 of them alive. The majority were loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), with some green turtles (Chelonia mydas). The main causes of admission were:

• Entanglement in fishing nets and plastic debris, especially raffia
• Ingestion of marine litter and hooks

The station also participates in the management of strandings involving cetaceans, sharks, and other elasmobranchs. When specimens do not survive, the centre collaborates with Red Vigía and the University Institute of Animal Health (IUSA) to perform necropsies, helping identify causes of death and improve conservation strategies.

Recent Releases

Reintroduction of recovered wildlife remains the primary goal of the Biological Station. Through the Environment Department, led by Carlos Rodríguez, a chick of the stone curlew (Burhinus oedicnemus) and a kestrel were released today.

• The stone curlew entered the centre on 12 June showing dehydration but no injuries; officials stress the importance of leaving bird chicks in place when found, as they often do not require intervention.
• The kestrel was admitted on 18 August with signs of dehydration and received treatment before release.

“Each release reflects the effort of the recovery team and citizen collaboration. From the Department we reaffirm our commitment to island biodiversity conservation and the protection of the species that form natural heritage,” said Environment Counselor Carlos Rodríguez.

The station emphasizes the importance of public participation. The official channel to report an injured animal is 112, ensuring a rapid and effective response.