fuerteventura shearwater rescue campaign

Fuerteventura launches campaign to rescue young shearwaters

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Fuerteventura launches rescue campaign for young shearwaters

The Cabildo de Fuerteventura has activated its protection and rescue campaign for the Atlantic Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris borealis) to coincide with the start of the first flights by juvenile birds. The operation will run throughout October and November, one of the most delicate stages in the life of this protected seabird.

During their first nocturnal flights, young shearwaters leave their nests and head out to the ocean. However, light pollution can disorientate them and divert them from their natural course, increasing the risk of collisions with infrastructure and of attacks by predators.

Call for public collaboration

Faced with this situation, the island institution is calling on the public, public authorities and hotels to help conserve the species. The island councillor for the Environment, Carlos Rodríguez, stressed that public collaboration is essential in helping juvenile birds through this particularly vulnerable period.

Among the main preventive measures, the Cabildo recommends keeping non-essential outdoor lighting to an absolute minimum during October and November. The aim is to reduce the birds’ disorientation and help them reach the sea safely.

A protected species that spends most of its life at sea

The Cory’s shearwater is a protected species that spends most of its life cycle on the open ocean, approaching land mainly during the breeding season. Data from previous campaigns highlight the importance of keeping the rescue operation active in Fuerteventura.

In 2025, 146 Cory’s shearwaters were collected, of which 89.04% recovered and were subsequently released. La Oliva was the municipality with the highest number of call-outs.

That trend has continued in 2026: 61.6% of the birds collected so far have come from this municipality, compared with 43.41% recorded in 2025. Puerto del Rosario ranks second, with 18.5% of the birds collected this year. These figures underline the importance of neighbourhood collaboration and of rapid intervention by the emergency and wildlife recovery services.

What to do if you find a shearwater

If you find a shearwater on the ground, disorientated or apparently in good condition, you should not return it to the sea or release it yourself. The bird first needs a veterinary check to assess its condition. The Cabildo recommends following these instructions.

You can also take the bird to the designated collection points, including the La Oliva Biological Station, the Civil Guard, the Local Police, the Fire Brigade, Civil Protection, the Red Cross and the Cabildo de Fuerteventura.

If the bird is dead, it is also important to report the find and give its exact location. This information allows the bird to be removed and helps identify areas with a higher incidence of accidents.

Simple actions that protect the species

The Cory’s shearwater protection campaign seeks to reduce the risks associated with light pollution and improve the survival of juvenile birds during their first flights to the ocean. The Cabildo insists that switching off unnecessary outdoor lights and quickly calling 112 when a shearwater is found are two simple actions that can help protect this species in Fuerteventura.

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