The project for a care center dedicated to wildlife in the Pyrénées-Orientales is one of the winners of the participatory budget launched by the Occitanie region, following the vote of 78,000 residents. “A 7,000 m² plot of land has already been identified in Saint-Jean-Pla-de-Corts. We could build a building of almost 350 m² there,” rejoices Marc Delabre, president of the Pyrénées-Orientales Wildlife Protection Association, which is leading the project. “As part of the My Citizen Region program, we requested aid of 150,000 euros, we are waiting to know the exact amount that we will receive. We will then have to apply for other subsidies, particularly at the European level. »
Start of work expected in 2025
This care center would be a first for the department. Each year, nearly 3,000 injured animals are brought to the volunteers of the Catalan association La Charbonnière. “Some are treated on site, thanks to partnerships we have with veterinarians, others, around 500, must be brought to Villeveyrac in Hérault, 120 km away, to the regional wildlife conservation center wild of the LPO,” explains Marc Delabre.
The animals collected are mainly birds such as gulls, swifts, doves, sparrows and, more rarely, large birds of prey. “As for mammals, we collect around 200 hedgehogs per year, accidentally injured or infected,” adds Marc Delabre. Like this winter when baby hedgehogs were rescued, surprised by the temperature changes which had brought them out of their lethargy much too early in the season. If funding follows as planned, the president of La Charbonnière hopes that work can begin in early 2025.