The Cabildo of Tenerife has conducted 3,445 rescues during the 2024 Cory’s Shearwater initiative, from which 3,442 individuals were successfully released, marking the highest number since the programme’s inception in 1999.
This initiative, managed by the ‘La Tahonilla’ Wildlife Recovery Centre, focuses on rescuing young shearwaters that become disoriented and fall to the ground during their first night of flight, often blinded by the coastal lights, as the Cabildo noted in a statement.
From the insular authority, the Minister of the Natural Environment, Blanca Pérez, has expressed delight at the recovery of “nearly all” of the rescued birds.
In addition to commending the contributions from citizens, local councils, and volunteers in this campaign, Pérez also pointed out the involvement of tourism establishments in recent years, as “a significant portion” of incidents arise in areas where light pollution is prevalent.
The Cory’s Shearwater rescue campaign enjoys support from various councils, Local Police, Seprona of the Civil Guard, Civil Protection Groups, Cecopal of Santa Cruz, and the Emergency and Security Coordination Centre (Cecoes).
Multiple volunteer organisations, such as ADAE, AEA, Canarias QRV Emergencies, SEO/BirdLife, the Red Cross, the INOCEANA Association, the Save The Planet Association, the Canarias Recycle Foundation, the Ocean Transition Association, and the Terramare Association, also offer their assistance.
Additionally, the Ecoimplicados Association, Senda el Bentor Association, Calima Association, Tourist Excellence Association, Rumbo Ziday, Amarec Association, and ECAN, alongside staff from the Insular Operational Coordination Centre (Cecopin), security personnel in natural areas, and the Office of Participation and Environmental Volunteering contribute to this effort.
The Cabildo of Tenerife highlights that the Atlantic population of Cory’s shearwater (Calonectris diomedea borealis or Calonectris borealis) is listed under the Wild Species under Special Protection Regime and classified as Vulnerable in the Red Book, as well as appearing in Annex I of the Birds Directive.
This protected species, recognised as one of the largest seabirds in Spain and the largest shearwater in Europe, displays migratory behaviour, although it breeds and resides along our coastlines for the majority of the year, specifically from February to November.
The island authorities emphasise that the rescue efforts for Cory’s shearwaters in Tenerife not only safeguard thousands of individuals annually but also yield critical data concerning their migratory pathways and fidelity to their original colonies.
For instance, a bird rescued in Candelaria in 2023 was later identified in Cayo Coco (Cuba) in November 2024, illustrating the remarkable movement capacity and survival adaptability of this ocean-dwelling seabird.
Another significant case took place in January 2010, when a bird rescued in Los Cristianos during the 2006 campaign was sighted in Mossel Bay (South Africa), confirming the transoceanic capabilities of this species.
