From 2019 to date, a total of 35 animals have been admitted to CRFS COFIB Mallorca after falling into irrigation ponds, 21 of which have drowned. It should be noted that 15 of these 35 specimens have been kites, Milvus milvus, which represents 45% of the total.

With the high temperatures that we often have on the islands during the summer, many wild animals approach the few available water points to cool off or hydrate. Most birds of prey hydrate by ingesting live prey, but sometimes the youngest, either because they spend days without hunting or because they are less experienced in mastering flight, fall in and drown because they cannot get out in time.

These ponds are constructions, still present on many farms in the Balearic Islands, which function as water tanks for irrigation. Their construction, shape and structure means that they have high, smooth walls without any floating structure that facilitates their exit to the outside. This means that when a medium or large animal, such as kites or booted eagles, falls inside and gets wet, it is practically impossible to get out alive.

The prompt arrival of these animals to the CRFS multiplies the possibility of their survival, since the loss of body temperature and the possible entry of water into the lungs require rapid treatment. In this case, 79% of those that entered alive were released back into the wild.

It is important to know that this problem can be solved by placing floating structures such as wood, a grid or ropes…

Awareness and information campaigns have been carried out both by the Balearic Government and by the different lines of work of European conservation projects, but even today, drowned animals continue to arrive in this type of raft.

It is important to act jointly to avoid these deaths. If you have an irrigation pond and you still don’t know how to do it, call us, we will help you transform it into a safe water point for wild animals. Any action counts and it is worth helping them.