Ayuso rinde homenaje a Félix Rodríguez de la Fuente.

«Félix Rodríguez de Fuente’s contribution to the preservation of Spanish nature is immeasurable and transcends his well-known role as a mass communicator not only in Spain, but worldwide,» added Díaz Ayuso about this environmental disseminator, considered the most important in our country and completed throughout March 14 at 14 years old.

The regional president, accompanied by Rodríguez de Fuente’s daughters, toured the facilities of this public hospital dedicated to the care of wildlife, considered one of the best in Europe, to learn about the work carried out by its technical and veterinary team. He also returned a Milan Royal to its natural environment, which arrived with moderate traumas and dehydration symptoms on January 7th in Guadalix en Sierra.

After stabilization by the veterinary team and a few days in the intensive care unit, it was moved to a release store where it could practice hunting and flying solo. The release of this individual joins 19 others of the same species in the past year.

Over 7,400 animals served in 2024

Díaz Ayuso has achieved a balanced income and emphasized that since its launch in 2010, approximately 64,000 animals have been treated, with an average of 4,253 per year in the 15-year history. Some figures increased from 1,166 initially to almost 7,500 in 2024. Of these latest data, 5,469 were native species such as foxes, common kestrels, and white storks, with an almost 33% release rate.

The president successfully inspected the work carried out by the multidisciplinary team of Cras-Félix Rodríguez de Fuente to control exotic invaders, which must remain in this facility as releasing them into the natural environment would pose a threat to native species.

Typically, they are handled by autonomous forest agents, and some are relocated to centers with educational, training, or research programs once their health is ensured. The most common invaders are raccoons, coatis, and Galapagos tortoises, followed by minks, Nile geese, or Vietnamese pigs.

Protection and recovery of protected domestic species

The Wildlife Recovery Center in the Community of Madrid plays a crucial role in the rescue and recovery of protected domestic species such as imperial eagles, partridges, and black or griffon vultures. They are responsible for their care, maintenance, restoration, and eventual return to the natural environment when unable to survive on their own.

Established in 2010, the center features an operating room, medical care, state-of-the-art technology, and a team of veterinarians providing service every day of the year. They primarily receive lost, injured, dehydrated, and invasive exotic animals.

During their stay, animals undergo a comprehensive assessment to identify injuries and symptoms, determine the cause of their hospitalization, and ascertain their origin. They then enter an advanced stage where they receive necessary clinical treatments and care, awaiting rehabilitation before reintroduction when deemed capable of survival in their habitat.

In 2024, 12 Imperial Eagles and 14 black vultures were admitted, «two of Iberia’s wildlife gems. Nearly half have been released or are in the process,» noted the president.

Thanks to efforts like this wildlife recovery center, the Community of Madrid boasts 102 pairs of imperial eagles, the highest density in Spain, double that of places like Castilla-La Mancha.

Included in the regional epidemiological network

The center also oversees the monitoring and control of captive bird reproduction through blood extractions for phenotypic inspection. It is also part of the regional epidemiological network, conducting necropsies on organisms removed from the natural environment (1,174 in 2024) to determine if the cause of death may constitute an administrative or criminal offense.

Currently, the region leads Europe in stringent biodiversity indices. «We are at the forefront of recovering threatened spaces and saving species,» stated Díaz Ayuso, highlighting that over half of the Community of Madrid’s territory is protected.

«With 4,000 square kilometers of natural spaces in a densely populated region with over 7 million inhabitants, we represent just 1.6% of the national territory, yet harbor nearly 40% of national habitats of community interest,» she added.

Guided visits for schools

Schools can take advantage of free guided tours at CRA to learn about specimens and the importance of preserving biodiversity, specifically by keeping exotic fauna. This initiative targets third-grade students and will be conducted in groups of up to 40 students on Tuesdays and Thursdays in the mornings, requiring prior registration on the institutional site.

The center also offers informative visits and training related to wildlife for students and university attendees. In 2023, 523 individuals participated in training courses, and 40 students completed internships to fulfill their academic requirements.