Given the start of the fledgling season of the Cory's shearwater (Calonectris diomedea), the Environment area of the Lanzarote Council has made a call for citizen collaboration to reduce light pollution and thus avoid glare and falls of these seabirds that may cause their death.
"During the months of October and November is the time when the chicks leave the nest and fly for the first time, and artificial lights can dazzle and disorient them on their way from land to the sea and cause them to fall to the ground, where they are vulnerable to being run over and predators," explains the Minister of Environment of the institution, Jorge Peñas.
Therefore, to prevent the birds from ending up injured and suffering a fatal outcome, the first Island Corporation asks for "an effort from citizens, entities and institutions to reduce lighting, especially in coastal urban centers".
"This is a species that we must protect, and a small gesture such as turning off or dimming the outside lights during the night can save the lives of many of these birds," adds Peñas.
Likewise, the Environment area reminds that, in the event that someone finds an injured shearwater, they should contact the Injured Wildlife Collection Service through the telephone 696 733 177 or call 112. If possible, the bird should be covered with a towel, blanket or jacket to calm it down or placed in a cardboard box with holes and wait for qualified personnel to arrive.
The Cory's shearwater is a species included in the List of Wild Species under Special Protection Regime and in the Canary Islands Catalog of Protected Species. In addition, it is included in the Red Book of Birds of Spain with the category of "Vulnerable".