The Bird of Prey Sanctuary is a programme of the PanEco Foundation. It has been working in Berg am Irchel since 1956 to protect birds of prey and owls in a variety of ways and, in its professionalism, is unique in Switzerland. We are the regional contact point for questions about birds of prey and owls and take in injured, weakened or very young birds in our rehabilitation station. In addition, we raise visitors’ awareness of the protection of birds of prey and owls and a sustainable lifestyle on guided tours of the sanctuary.

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What we want to achieve

Stable populations of birds of prey and owls in an environment where humans and animals live side by side and with each other.

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What we are doing

Care, breeding and rehabilitation of birds of prey and owls

Injured, weakened or very young birds of prey and owls are cared for, medically treated and released when they are in good health.

Environmental education

At events and in tours of the sanctuary we inform children and adults about various topics related to birds of prey and owls and raise awareness about their active protection.

Collaboration in research projects

We are involved in a reintroduction project for Ural owls, work closely with the Ornithological Institute in Sempach to ring our patients and help increase knowledge about birds of prey and owls with various other research projects.

Practical nature conservation

We maintain ecologically valuable areas, install nesting aids for little owls, storks and co. and offer advice on and the sale of nesting boxes.

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Successes

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The impact we want to achieve

The habitat of birds of prey and owls in Switzerland is under increasing pressure from urban sprawl, heavy road traffic and intensive agriculture. Birds of prey and owls are protected species – yet more than half of the native species are on the red list of threatened species.

«Birds of prey and owls need our support and a place where they can be given professional care if necessary and released back into the wild as quickly as possible.»

Andi Lischke

Director of the Berg am Irchel Bird of Prey Sanctuary

News

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Orangutan protection, Orangutan story
When the Indonesian authorities (BBKSDA) confiscate an orangutan, the medically trained SOCP rescue team from our partner organisation YEL is on site to attend to the handover. The team makes sure that the orangutan is cared for properly during its transfer to our quarantine and rehabilitation centre. Read how a female orangutan recently came to us in this way.
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Rainforest protection, Sustainable development
Since 2021, we have been running a beekeeping project in northern Sumatra on the edge of the Jantho Nature Reserve. Thanks to two brothers and their dedicated family, a beekeeping centre has been established nearby. Come and visit the «Fajar Lestari Nursery»*!
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Environmental Education, Rainforest protection
Visitors to Orangutan Haven on Sumatra can choose from a range of activities or delve deeper into various topics if they are interested. Particularly popular are the two ecotrails, ‘Suaq’ and ‘Leuser’, which wind their way through the grounds. On these trails the environmental education team explains two different habitats of the orangutans. Which one would you choose?
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