In 2013 and 2014 Animalcouriers helped to organise the transfer of osprey chicks from Scotland to Spain. This year we were very pleased to be asked to help again with this important and interesting osprey conservation project.
In July, Roy Dennis of the Highland Foundation for Wildlife in Scotland, and Dr Aitor Galarza of Urdabai Bird Center near Bilbao, organised the transfer of 13 osprey chicks to the centre. The birds flew with BA from Aberdeen to Madrid via London Heathrow.
Roy is also involved in a new project to reintroduce ospreys to Switzerland, about 100 years after the last breeding osprey was seen there. Ospreys continue being seen regularly (though in very small quantity) passing through Switzerland during their migration, but the last actual breeding pair of the species was back in 1914. Roy worked with Wendy Strahm from Projet Balbuzard/Nos Oiseaux to mastermind the move of six ospreys from Aberdeen to Geneva. Animalcouriers arranged the flights with BA from Aberdeen to Geneva via London Heathrow. The six young birds spent the night at the Heathrow Animal Reception Centre before continuing their journey to Switzerland.
A mountain of paperwork was involved. Because Switzerland isn’t part of the EU, CITES export and import certificates were needed. Roy also had to arrange special licences to capture the birds from the wild. As with all CITES movements in and out of the EU, special customs clearance was also needed, but this couldn’t be done until after the birds were checked in at Aberdeen, so it was all rather nailbiting as the period between checking the birds in and loading them was quite short. Then we had to stop biting our nails and instead cross our fingers that there wouldn’t be any computer glitches to interfere with the HMRC centre at Salford granting the OK. Thankfully all went well and the birds went on their way without delay.
One of the young birds in the aviary shortly after arriving (photo © Denis Landenbergue from the Projet Balbuzard website: www.balbuzards.ch/en/
Swiss TV coverage (in French) of the birds’ arrival. Their aviary was built at at Swiss prison surrounded by 350 hectares of agricultural land which is inaccessible to the general public. This ensures the birds will have all the peace and quiet they need to settle in once they’re released from the aviary.
I’m glad you are a part of this program. I wish all this wonderful birds a good time in their aviary and a great birds life when they are released. It’s crazy that we always furget that Switzerland isn’t a part of the EU… that sometimes leads to crazy adventures :o)
We’re very proud to be able to help the project — it’s wonderful to hear each year how the birds are doing. Ha ha – have you tried taking the Elephant Skater there?
LOL, no…we bought a simply thingy for a laptop think it was a power-thingy… we got post from Airport/Orly… boy that was powerful…literally :o)
Fantastic picture of a beautiful bird.
Isn’t it stunning.
What a magical experience for you..i remember the last birds you moved and imagine by now they are wonderfully happy adult raptors..bravo to all for giving this species a great chance! Hugs Bev
It’s great to be able to be involved each year and to see the number of birds involved. They’re doing wonderful things!
Oh my goodness…..what an amazing adventure THIS is……I hope those beautiful birds settle in ther new locations and make a comeback in furthering their population……bravo to you and everyone involved in this complicated process!
Pam
We’re very hopeful it’ll work out for them all. We love that the Swiss location is so highly protected 😉
Brilliant job, well done!
xxx Hugs Galore xxx
Although our part is a small one, it’s great to be involved each year! Hugs back
Again, Animal Couriers has to be the finest company in helping fur, feathered, scaled and (?) kinds get around this planet!
What a great thing to be involved with! Osprey used to be in my area also, however they haven’t been seen in years. I was lucky enough to have lived in Florida, where they are commonly seen. I sure miss them.
I’m so glad there are hard working, awesome folks out there helping animals fight for their space on this planet. Thank you again! !
The project goes from strength to strength and it’s great to know that the Ospreys have every chance of survival in the wild.
That is so great!
It always makes us very proud to be involved!
Now I’m dead envious; you get the best jobs ever
This is a particular favourite of ours.
Very rewarding for Animalcouriers, the birds and the environment.
Everyone’s a winner.
Interesting work for you.
It certainly keeps our air specialist on her toes.
Beautiful birds. They nest near my home.
How lucky you are to have them nearby.
That is so exciting! Well done! More than one CITES-related move has fallen through at the last second. Some of the animals never get where they are going.
It’s a minefield. Our air specialist is very thorough but it’s all down to how each country interprets the same regulations.
Thanks so much!
I hope all goes well. It must be lovely to be a part of something like this.
It’s a special feeling.
When I saw the picture my mouth fell open with “Wow that’s beautiful!” I’m sure you all hear this often, hopefully every day — Your AWESOME!
It’s a wonderful thing to be involved in!
Thanks Spiders – we’re blushing over here 😉
beautiful picture, safe travels
Beautiful birds.
I wish them all the best in their new home!
They’ve had a good start.
I love when you transport something out of the ordinary (not that I don’t love the other transports, but something like this is amazing!).
We love being involved in varied jobs too!
This is such an interesting and great project, it makes my heart feel so glad that there are such good people in the world helping all these beautiful animals. I am happy to hear that everything went smoothly for you all! 😀