Centro Tutela e Ricerca Fauna Esotica e Selvatica Monte Adone

The Association Centro Tutela e Ricerca Fauna Esotica e Selvatica Monte Adone (hereinafter Association) is located in the Province of Bologna, Italy. It is a non‐profit organization, with legal personality, registered in the Volunteer Register of the Emilia Romagna Region. The main purpose of the association is to safeguard local and exotic fauna and operates in agreement with the Emilia Romagna Region for rescue and management of native species, and with the Ministry of Environment for recovering and providing long term care for exotic species. The Centro Tutela e Ricerca Fauna Esotica e Selvatica Monte Adone was founded in 1989 as a Wildlife Rescue Centre in response to emerging of many problems related to native fauna due to increasing human activity in our area and to a lack of administrative protection. The continued recovery of injured animals, made necessary the creation of an emergency unit for the native fauna of the Italian Apennines that would provide the care, rehabilitation and reintroduction of animals in their natural habitat. In November of the same year, unexpectedly, with the arrival of the first lion cub used by a “beach photographer” we started, first in Italy, the activity of recovering of animals originating from other countries, imported illegally for profit, fun, entertainment and exploitation. In time the Wildlife Rescue Center became a stable reference point for citizens, public authorities, the police and the fire brigade, and in December 1993 the founders, Rudi Berti, his family with a small group of dedicated volunteers founded the Association Centro Tutela e Ricerca Fauna Esotica e Selvatica Monte Adone”. The Centre is committed to recovering and rescuing wounded autochthonous wild animals (deer, raptors, hedgehogs, foxes, dormice, etc). The emergency rescue service operates 24/7 on the territory of Emilia Romagna Region. The rescued animals are provided with veterinary treatment, care and rehabilitation to facilitate the reintroduction in the wild. Moreover, the Center guarantees a continuous information and support service for public authorities, law enforcement agencies and departments, as well as citizens that could deal daily with problems and difficulties concerning wild animals. One of the most important projects of the Association is the “Wolf project”, started in 2012, that aims to supply the treatment and rehabilitation of rescued wolves. The “Wolf Project, Monte Adone”’s goal is to manage a specialized center in rescuing, medical treatment, rehabilitation and final reintroduction of wolves in the wild. The project includes also the post release monitoring and educational activities. The Centre assists the rescue and the protection of abandoned or abused exotic fauna which often includes animals proceeded from mistreatment, unauthorised trade and possession (felines, primates, parrots, etc.). Whenever practicable these animals are introduced into specific projects within the EU where they can live in appropriate social groups for the species and in semi-free environment. For others, as well as for the rescued local fauna for which the release is not possible, the Centre becomes a permanent home. Nowadays, among the exotic animals, the Center is a sanctuary for 6 chimpanzees, 2 tigers, 4 lions and 11 monkeys. Besides animal rescue and care, an important part of our work consists in the education and sensibilisation of the general public towards the environmental issues (guided visits, school lectures, conferences etc.). Moreover, the Center collaborates with Universities regarding animal behaviour researches. The environmental education and awareness rising is organized on two levels: 1. Didactic/educational implemented through the “School project” (for school children and environmental educators). 2. Enhancing environmental awareness of citizens (for adults and families) primarily through the guided visits but also with organization of public events.