The annual gathering of the Wild Souls is one of our most anticipated events, where we commemorate the year’s accomplishments, strengthen the bonds of our community and express our appreciation for your support.
1. Breakfast with local products
The Pica pica was prepared with local products. The participants of the meeting received a cup made of recyclable material to commemorate the day. I leave you the suppliers, because many of you have asked me for it.
- Longaniza and secallona: Granja Godall
- Soft cheese: Clara from Valette
- Semicured cheese: Marc from Rotxès
- Bread: Forn Cal Jaumet
- Sangria made of cava: Eloi’s father
2. Welcome in numbers
- 10 years helping animals
- 180 members and 120 sponsors
- 7 team members
- Thank you and as we think about you every day
- Planning of the day
3. Guided tour
Since we were 90 people, we separated into 3 groups and Naiara, Neus and Manu accompanied our guests to different points where we showed the achievements of the last 12 months, but also the urgencies we face.
And wow, it started to rain and we had to run out and take shelter in the house. We could not finish this part and for this reason we leave you the points we mentioned at each stop.
Eloi, in the area of animals in semi-freedom
- Flock of sheep and goats: New fence and corral built with the help of volunteers from Grup de Diables de l’Alt Urgell.
- Fallow deer: House finished, we still lack the double entrance door and a space with a sand bath.
- Wild boars: time constraints do not allow us to build the new fence and unfortunately we cannot accept new wild boars until the construction is finished.
- Picnic: new tables and distribution
- Chamois: A large facility built in record time
Anna, at the park entrance
- Success with schools
- Installation for blind animals
- Donation from MasOliver company for descriptive posters on the animal and plant species of the refuge.
- Gulls need a larger space with access to water
- Increase in the number of calls from people who find animals
Laia, in front of the clinic
- We have purchased UV lights that allow a good development of the hatchlings.
- We are still looking for donors to be able to buy an X-Ray machine of about 18.000€.
- Murri the fox is still in the clinic
- Hibernation of tortoises
- 260 animals returned to the wild this year
Stania, in the amphitheater
- Urgent relocation of the horses because their current enclosure is collapsing.
- Construction of new pre-release spaces for hatchlings
- Need to build new facilities for the foxes Murri and Mercè
- New facility for the eagle Eduard is at the same point as last year
- We are proud to be part of the barn owl breeding and release project
- We invite our Wild Souls to participate in the Rivers Project (PRojecte Rius) to be held on October 8th.
4. BINGO
As is tradition, Naiara officiated the bingo. The winners and prizes this year are as follows:
- Línia: Joana, who regularly gives us many kilos of discarded fruit, has won the «Falcon Experience».
- Bingo: Daniel, our member, has won a weekend for 4 people at the Eco-Camping el Solsonès.
5. Gimcana for the title the «Wildest Souls».
We separated the participants into 7 groups and tested their knowledge about the animals of Catalonia. Since not everyone could stay until the end, I share the correct answers as requested by the participants.
- Curiosities
- Everyone was surprised to learn that the scops owl (xot), although it weighs half as much as the little owl, has a greater wingspan.
- The stork holds the world record for being the bird that can fly the farthest without flapping its wings (10,000 km).
- Everyone recognized the voice of Alfonso the raven, but almost no one recognized the sound of the young pigeons.
- The touch test was the easiest and the footprint identification the most difficult.
- Results from a total of 40 points:
- 35.5 points for the «Òlibes» group (they have won a postcard with a 10% discount for the Birds of prey show).
- 34 points the group of «Ànecs collverd».
- 32 points for the «Voltors» group
- 31 points the group of «Guineus».
- 29,5 points the group of «Àguiles daurades».
- 29 points the group of «Eriçons».
- 25.5 points the «Ducs» group
6. Lunch
The company Molta Teca of Solsona prepared the meal for us, starting with a green salad, for the main course a sea and mountain paella, and for dessert we ate flam. The food was served with biodegradable plates and cutlery.
Acknowledgments to the Wild Souls
Thank you very much for being by our side and creating a better world for animals and humans. Many thanks to those of you who participated and were not discouraged by the rain and the improvisations that the weather forced us to make. You are great and we are lucky to have you as part of our life.
Don’t forget:
Thank you for making it possible!
«Saving one animal will not change the whole world, but the whole world will change for this animal.»
The annual gathering of Wild Souls is a wonderful opportunity to share our accomplishments, inspire each other and strengthen our commitment to wildlife conservation. Thanks to the dedication and support of each of our partners, members, sponsors, donors and volunteers.
