© Nadine Gautier / RTL Radio Lëtzebuerg
RTL's series about the wildlife station celebrating its 30th anniversary next month looks at the centre's different tasks in detail.
One of the most important jobs the wildlife station does is collecting animals which have been hit on the roads and bringing them to Dudelange. Liane Bonaria is one of the workers doing this job with heart and soul.
She drives across the country every Monday to check the four drop-off points in Feulen, Clervaux, Dudelange and Junglinster, in case someone has placed an animal in there recently. These are usually injured creatures which have been found and require help. RTL accompanied Bonaria to the Feulen drop-off, where an injured bat was waiting. This drop-off point was installed in spring 2018. The bat had been placed in a special box with the lid slightly ajar, according to instructions.
The public can use the drop-off points 24/7, with each containing a number of suitable crates, for smaller animals as well as larger creatures such as wild boar, deer or foxes. Liane Bonaria explained that anyone who drops an animal off should complete a form with any information on the animal and how it was found, to help with treatment. They are also encouraged to leave their contact details, so the Dudelange team can contact any good-doers afterwards to let them know how "their" animal is faring.
The wildlife station is contacted nearly every day because an animal has been brought to a drop-off point. Every drop-off has a specific code to get in, which requires people to phone the Dudelange centre. This in turn alerts staff to a new case.
After checking Feulen, Bonaria headed to Clervaux, then Junglinster, where an injured blackbird was waiting for collection. In Dudelange the team confirmed the bird had suffered light skull trauma from flying into a closed window. After treatment it was quickly released back into the wild. The bat, however, required more intensive treatment, as it was in a weak state.
LINKS
Part 1: Fantastic beasts and where to tend to them
Part 2: Dudelange animal care station always in need of volunteers
