This afternoon at BIOPARC the emotional “release” of 14 orphaned birds that had been raised for weeks by the participants took place.

Today one of the most anticipated and exciting moments of this year's edition of the AcogeUnPajarito program. After 12 noon a group of volunteers, who have been carefully caring for and feeding the swift chicks, have positioned themselves in the elevated area of ​​the BIOPARC Amphitheater to, from there, “release” the 14 birds that had already reached maturity to return to their natural habitat.

In this edition, 5 centers for people with functional diversity or at risk of social exclusion have collaborated

In this way, the AcogeUnPajarito 2019 campaign comes to an end with the participation of more than 70 volunteers, mostly people with functional diversity or at risk of social exclusion, who have been directly involved in the care of these swifts. Many of them have been able to express today their joy and satisfaction at seeing the wonderful result after long weeks of dedication.

On this occasion, the AcogeUnPajarito project has been able to offer them a second chance to 43 orphaned birds of this protected species, of which 32 have already been returned to nature in this release, which was attended by representatives and users of the participating centers and the organizing entities, and four previous collective releases in the collaborating centers.

Hundreds of urban birds fall from their nests every year due to different circumstances at the beginning of summer in Valencia. Once they arrive at the La Granja de El Saler Wildlife Recovery Center of the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition, they undergo a veterinary analysis and part of them are transferred to the AcogeUnPajarito project, which aims to promote well-being emotional and social participation of volunteers, while giving a second chance to small baby birds.

This initiative is promoted by the BIOPARC Foundation, the Illustrious Official College of Veterinarians of Valencia, the ACAVALL Foundation and SIMBIOSI, Espai Ambiental, SL in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development, Climate Emergency and Ecological Transition.

Entities such as the Association of Relatives of Alzheimer's Patients of Valencia (AFAV), the Albors Day Center, the Association of Relatives of People with Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias of Camp de Morvedre and Puçol (AFACAM) have participated in this edition. the Valencia Parkinson Association and the El Faro Day Center.

Despite the motor or cognitive difficulties that many volunteers from the collaborating centers have, they have managed to ensure that approximately 87% of the transferred chicks are able to reach freedom, a percentage that exceeds the initial objective which was to bring more than 75% forward. of the birds.

The stigma and vision of society towards groups of people with functional diversity means that, frequently, little is expected of them and that there are few doors that are opened so that they can do their bit and build a better world. AcogeUnPajarito provides the opportunity for these groups to grow the community in which we live and are part, as well as to disseminate and raise awareness among citizens of the great value of the biodiversity of our species in the Valencian Community.

The project WelcomeALittleBird It was launched in 2015 and, after five editions, it now has 467 volunteers and more than 700 chicks that have been given a second chance.