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Murcia wildlife centre treats nearly 4,400 animals in 2025

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Murcia wildlife centre treated nearly 4,400 injured animals in 2025.
Photo Credit: Region of Murcia Department of Tourism

The El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre, located in Alberca de las Torres, Murcia, has recently announced that in 2025, it cared for nearly 4,400 animals, representing a 41 per cent increase from the previous year. This means that, since 2009, the wildlife recovery centre has successfully carried out more than 34,000 interventions, saving vulnerable species and caring for the animals that call the Region of Murcia home.

Recovering and saving wild animals, releasing them back into their natural habitats

The El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre is a facility in Murcia that focuses on recovering injured or distressed wild animals and returning them to their natural habitat once they are healthy. It has been in operation since 1984, and currently has a staff of 12 animal-loving professionals.

Record year for bird and reptile rehabilitation

In 2025, according to the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre, 1,356 animals were released back into the wild after being assessed and treated by the centre. In total, the centre cared for 4,393 animals during 2025, which is 1,287 more than the previous year.

Birds are far and away the most treated species at the centre, accounting for more than 87 per cent of the recorded treatments during 2025. In total, 2,323 birds were treated at the centre in 2025. There were 869 more birds treated at the centre than during the previous year. The most common species at the centre were the common swift (Apus apus) and the pallid swift (Apus pallidus).

As for reptiles, the spur-thighed tortoise, or Greek tortoise, was treated 292 times at the centre. Among the mammals, the species with the greatest presence was the European hedgehog, with 66 animals treated.

Kind-hearted local citizens drive the majority of animal rescues

These statistics are also notable for an interesting reason: nearly 80 per cent of the wild animals that are taken to the centre are brought there by Murcia citizens who stumbled upon them while enjoying the Region of Murcia’s natural areas.

The centre combating endangerment and extinction in Murcia

Of the 1,356 specimens that were recovered and returned to the wild, 80.3 per cent of the animals belonged to species that were included in various protection lists and catalogues, reinforcing the vital role the centre plays not only in helping injured animals, but conserving the wildlife in Murcia and its endangered species.

Plans to expand the centre with €700K investment

This good news for the local fauna comes along with even better news for the future of the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre: the regional government is preparing an investment of approximately €700,000 to modernise and expand the centre. One of the projects bookmarked for this investment includes the creation of a specialised area for the hospitalisation of sea turtles.

Educating locals about the importance of wildlife and conservation

But the work done at the El Valle Wildlife Recovery Centre is not limited to animal rescue and rehabilitation. The facility also carries out important environmental education activities for the locals. Activities offered by the centre allow the public to learn more about the work carried out there, as well as the importance of species conservation and the threats the animals face.

The centre’s Information Service received 14,155 visitors during 2025, and this year, between January and June alone, recorded another 9,400 visitors. 

Costa Calida

Emergency services rescue injured paraglider trapped in Murcia mountains

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Emergency services rescue injured paraglider from remote Murcia mountain range.
Photo Credit: Jumilla Department of Tourism

Murcia emergency services leapt into action on Saturday, September 12, after a 58-year-old paraglider was injured and stranded in a difficult-to-access area of the Sierra del Buey, a mountain range located between the municipalities of Jumilla and Yecla.

An injured paraglider calls for help in the Murcian mountains

The man was unable to move on his own and was trapped in an area in the Jumilla mountains. The Emergency Coordination Centre of the Region of Murcia received a call from the man himself about the incident at 2:33pm. The athlete explained to them that he had suffered an accident while paragliding and was unable to move on his own due to his condition.

Drone deployed after mountain crash

The paraglider was able to send his location to a friend, but when emergency services tried to obtain his location, he could not provide it again as he was in too much pain. As emergency services could not determine the exact location of the accident, the Jumilla Local Police deployed a drone to search for the injured paraglider.

Off-road vehicles navigate difficult terrain to reach the injured athlete

Emergency responders, including the Guardia Civil, local police, and paramedics from the 061 emergency service were dispatched to the scene. A Guardia Civil patrol was the first emergency resource to locate the man and successfully reach him. The man’s condition was assessed, and the teams determined that an aerial rescue was not necessary.

Paraglider treated on site and taken to hospital

After locating the man, the next most significant challenge for emergency responders was getting medical staff to the difficult-to-access location. The 061 emergency medical team was transported in one of the local police’s off-road vehicles. Once they finally reached him, paramedics treated him on the scene. He was then moved to the local police’s SUV, where he was transferred with the paramedics to a point where he could be transferred to an ambulance.

The man was stabilised and evacuated to the Virgen de la Arrixaca University Hospital in Murcia to receive medical care.

Emergency services’ quick thinking: Paragliders and athletes in the mountains beware

Thanks to the quick actions of the emergency services, the man was swiftly located and transferred to a hospital where medical staff could treat his injuries. It is just one of the instances where Murcia authorities have responded quickly to a distress call, rescuing an athlete who otherwise could not have got to hospital safely.

Emergency services have also taken a moment to remind paragliders and those who practice other sports in the mountainous areas of Murcia of the importance of planning their trips in advance, checking the weather, carrying a mobile phone with sufficient battery life on them, informing loved ones of their whereabouts, and staying well fed and hydrated for their activity.

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Costa Calida

European Mobility Week returns to Mazarron with free 5k runs, car-free streets, and family events

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Mazarron celebrates European Mobility Week with diverse inclusive community events.
Photo Credit: European Mobility Week

The Costa Calida municipality of Mazarron is gearing up to celebrate its third European Mobility Week from September 19 to 24, offering a programme that will blend sport, health education, and solidarity. Organised by the Youth Department in collaboration with the Local Police, local health centres, and community groups, this year’s events fall under the motto “Mobility for All”, and will encourage healthier habits throughout the entire municipality, while offering a week of fun.

Sports and charity kick off the celebrations

Activities will kick off on Saturday, September 19, with the free 5K Bahía de Mazarron race. Starting at 10:00am from Plaza de las Comunidades Autónomas, runners will follow a 5-kilometre route along the seaside promenade to El Alamillo and back. Alongside the race, community health stands hosted by Cruz Roja, Fibromaz, and IMAS will offer health checkups, cognitive gymnastics, and traditional games. Later that morning at 11:30am, visitors can participate in the solidarity Zumba masterclass, charging a €3 entrance fee to benefit local animal protection charity APROAMA and support its shelter work.

Family fun on car-free Sunday

On Sunday, September 20, Mazarron will mark “Car-Free Day” by closing Avenida Constitución to motor vehicles between San José and San Pascual streets from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Transforming the avenue into a safe pedestrian zone, the day will feature children’s workshops, fruit distribution, and rides on the municipal tourist train. Additionally, FAMDIF-COCEMFE will host an architectural barrier simulation circuit, giving residents firsthand experience of the daily mobility obstacles encountered by people with physical disabilities.

Connecting local students with Mazarron’s stunning nature

From September 21 to 23, the focus turns towards local youth through the “Caminando en Verde”, or Walking in Green, initiative. Students from local secondary schools, including IES Felipe II, IES Domingo Valdivieso, IES Antonio Hellín, and Siglo XXI, will join guided walking tours exploring historic mining landscapes and the coastal coves of Bolnuevo. These educational walks will connect young students with the beautiful natural environments that are a staple of Mazarron.

Promoting health and inclusion in Mazarron

Finally, on Thursday, September 24, the programme will wrap up with specialised mobility and wellness sessions for Day Centre users, alongside local nurses and physiotherapy staff.

Mazarron’s week is set to raise awareness on all fronts, from supporting people in the municipality with disabilities to caring for the stunning natural environment of the Costa Calida. All residents are welcome to come and take part in the fun activities and community camaraderie this September.

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European Mobility Week Returns To Mazarron With Free 5k Runs, Car-Free Streets, And Family Events

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european-mobility-week-returns-to-mazarron-with-free-5k-runs,-car-free-streets,-and-family-events

Mazarron celebrates European Mobility Week with diverse inclusive community events. Photo Credit: European Mobility Week

The Costa Calida municipality of Mazarron is gearing up to celebrate its third European Mobility Week from September 19 to 24, offering a programme that will blend sport, health education, and solidarity. Organised by the Youth Department in collaboration with the Local Police, local health centres, and community groups, this year’s events fall under the motto “Mobility for All”, and will encourage healthier habits throughout the entire municipality, while offering a week of fun.

Sports and charity kick off the celebrations

Activities will kick off on Saturday, September 19, with the free 5K Bahía de Mazarron race. Starting at 10:00am from Plaza de las Comunidades Autónomas, runners will follow a 5-kilometre route along the seaside promenade to El Alamillo and back. Alongside the race, community health stands hosted by Cruz Roja, Fibromaz, and IMAS will offer health checkups, cognitive gymnastics, and traditional games. Later that morning at 11:30am, visitors can participate in the solidarity Zumba masterclass, charging a €3 entrance fee to benefit local animal protection charity APROAMA and support its shelter work.

Family fun on car-free Sunday

On Sunday, September 20, Mazarron will mark “Car-Free Day” by closing Avenida Constitución to motor vehicles between San José and San Pascual streets from 10:00am to 1:00pm. Transforming the avenue into a safe pedestrian zone, the day will feature children’s workshops, fruit distribution, and rides on the municipal tourist train. Additionally, FAMDIF-COCEMFE will host an architectural barrier simulation circuit, giving residents firsthand experience of the daily mobility obstacles encountered by people with physical disabilities.

Connecting local students with Mazarron’s stunning nature

From September 21 to 23, the focus turns towards local youth through the “Caminando en Verde”, or Walking in Green, initiative. Students from local secondary schools, including IES Felipe II, IES Domingo Valdivieso, IES Antonio Hellín, and Siglo XXI, will join guided walking tours exploring historic mining landscapes and the coastal coves of Bolnuevo. These educational walks will connect young students with the beautiful natural environments that are a staple of Mazarron.

Promoting health and inclusion in Mazarron

Finally, on Thursday, September 24, the programme will wrap up with specialised mobility and wellness sessions for Day Centre users, alongside local nurses and physiotherapy staff.

Mazarron’s week is set to raise awareness on all fronts, from supporting people in the municipality with disabilities to caring for the stunning natural environment of the Costa Calida. All residents are welcome to come and take part in the fun activities and community camaraderie this September.

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