Wildlife rescue centers in Spain report rising threats from abandonment and plastic pollution

Wildlife rescue centers in Spain are highlighting the critical impact of human activity on local and marine fauna. The CREAC center in Calafell, managed by GREAM, processes approximately 1,300 animals annually. The facility serves as a refuge for exotic reptiles and amphibians, a clinic for protected wildlife in collaboration with the Generalitat, and a site for environmental education and research, such as monitoring Montseny newt populations.

Simultaneously, the CRAM Marine Animal Recovery Center reports alarming levels of plastic ingestion among marine life. Veterinarians note that approximately 80% of sea turtles arriving at the center have ingested large pieces of plastic, including food packaging, labels, and bottle caps. In some cases, animals are found with debris that has traveled thousands of kilometers, sometimes bearing foreign language markings. These pollutants, along with abandoned fishing nets, pose life-threatening risks to marine species, often leading to severe injuries or entanglement.