At Terra Natura Benidorm, we have recently taken in a white stork (Ciconia ciconia) that was rescued after suffering serious injuries in an accident at the start of the autumn–winter migration season. The bird arrived at the park last October with multiple wounds and trauma, as well as the complete amputation of one toe, likely caused when it became trapped in overhead power lines.

Over the past month, the stork has received specialised veterinary care and intensive support from the park’s falconry team. Following veterinary assessments to monitor its health, the team carried out physical rehabilitation and assisted training sessions to support its recovery. This type of interdisciplinary work is essential for migratory birds, as it helps maintain the flight-related musculature and prevents potential long-term functional issues.

Thanks to this dedicated care, the stork has made good progress and is now stable. However, the extent of its injuries prevents it from undertaking long-distance flights, which are crucial for completing its migratory routes to Africa during the winter. For this reason, the bird is considered unreleasable and cannot safely return to the wild with enough chances of survival.

With this situation, we have decided to provide the stork a permanent home, offering a safe environment where it can enjoy a second chance at life under high standards of animal welfare. The rescued bird will be named Pim, and will share the facility with Pam, another resident white stork that takes part in the educational falconry demonstrations included in the Animals in Action experience. Through these activities, visitors can learn first-hand about bird biology and the threats they face, such as collisions with human structures, electrocution, or physical barriers encountered during seasonal movements.

According to our falconry team, if Pim continues to adapt well, it is expected to join Pam later this weekend.

With the arrival of Pim, we reaffirm our commitment to species conservation by offering a new opportunity to animals that cannot survive in the wild, we help raise awareness of the risks faced by migratory species, which play a vital role keeping healthy ecosystems.