Help save baby wild animals

RIAS’ main purpose is to treat injured and debilitated wildlife. In this campaign, we ask for your support to help a very special group of animals, which we receive during the spring and summer: baby birds and mammals.

*We reached our goal!*

We already reached the 3200 €  we needed to ensure all the food, medication, and hiring of two technicians to help in the upcoming baby season. Thank you so much to everyone that already donated.

But this campaign doesn't need to end here!

• All the money raised will always be added value. It will be used to improve/purchase facilities for the babies and to buy veterinary supplies and food for all the remaining animals recovering in our center. 

Don't be discouraged to contribute. Your help will always be necessary and appreciated.

RIAS is the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Research Centre, located at the Ria Formosa Natural Park, in Olhão. As a Wildlife Hospital, our work consists in the reception of injured or debilitated wildlife, their treatment and, later, their release back to Nature. In addition, we work with several institutions and universities in order to study the risk factors for wildlife conservation. We also raise awareness about nature conservation, by carrying out hundreds of environmental education actions every year.

We received a very special group of animals during the spring and summer: the delicate babies. From small passerines (like sparrows) to young birds of prey (such as owls) and white storks. We also receive baby mammals, such as hedgehogs, common genet and otters.

It is in your hands to help create a better planet and help us protect biodiversity. By supporting RIAS in this campaign, you can contribute to this cause without leaving your home!

Why do these animals come to us?

Regarding birds, the vast majority of little babies fall from their nests when attempting the first flight. It is natural for the parents to continue to feed them in the ground, but often the babies are left unprotected in urban locations, where there are roads or pets that can injure them. Thus, it is necessary to bring them to RIAS, to improve their chance of survival. Here, our job is to play the parents' role, feeding them until they grow all the feathers and help them practice flying.

Regarding mammals, they are often found thin and debilitated, as they do not yet have the ability to survive on their own. Their recovery involves providing adequate food until they are autonomous, and, whenever possible, foster socialization with other individuals of the same species. In the case of newborn mammalian, attention must be constant, which includes extra care both during the day and at night.

Which species do we receive the most?

Over the years we have already received more than 85 different species of babies! The most common species include black swift, common sparrow, house martin, yellow-legged gull, common kestrel, little owl, white stork, blackbird and hedgehog.

How many babies have we helped?

RIAS has already received around 3200 babies from all over the Algarve and Baixo Alentejo. This corresponds to an annual average of more than 300 animals entered in a period of just five months (April to August). During this time, the tasks multiply and it is common to have more than 50 babies in our care at the same time!

Why do we need your help now?

This group of animals arrives in large numbers during a short period of time and requires a lot of attention and special care. Thus, during the breeding season, there is a need to increase our team with two experienced people, exclusively for the treatment of these animals. This is an extra investment, in an already insufficient budget.

Another important factor in the recovery of the baby wildlife is the need for adequate food, as well as dietary supplements and vitamins, essential for a good development.

The funding used to treat these babies has always been raised in our visitor reception centre. In 2020, due to the pandemic, the donations obtained by the centre were drastically reduced, and our capacity to respond to the work required during the breeding season is now compromised.

Support us and help our wildlife nursery.

About the author

RIAS has a multidisciplinary team of 6 professionals.

. Fábia Azevedo | Coordinator

. María Casero | Clinical Director

. Moises Corvo Romero | Rehabilitation

. Thijs Valkenburg | Ringing and environmental monitoring

. Sofia Costa | Management and Human Resources

. Vera Marques | Environmental Education and Social Media

Our objective is, above all, to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and to a greater awareness of the population to issues of nature and wildlife. We are proud to be an integral part of nature conservation and to fight for everyone to enjoy a well-preserved natural world.

Budget and due dates

Your support will allow us to have all the necessary conditions to recover the baby animals that come to us during the nesting/breeding season of 2021.

For this, it is essential to hire two extra workers and purchase specific food, supplementation and vitamins.

The amount raised will be applied as follows:

- Two specialized workers: 2,400 €

- Food, supplementation and vitamins: 500 €

- Platform fees: 300 €

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