Summer family activities at the Wildlife Recovery Centre

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This summer, on Tuesdays between 28 July and 18 August, the Wildlife Recovery Centre invites you to enjoy four evenings full of discoveries, games and learning for the whole family. A fun, educational and participatory programme to get to know Menorca’s wildlife better and spend an enjoyable time together—especially for children!

📅 28 July · Bird beaks

Why do some birds have long, short, slender, thick, straight or hooked beaks? Through games and highly participatory activities, we will discover that the beak is a bird’s main tool and that its shape is closely related to the way birds feed and live.

Some beaks work like real harpoons for catching fish, others are like tweezers for capturing insects, while some are strong enough to crack seeds and stones. By playing, we will learn to identify some of the most characteristic beaks of Menorca’s birds and understand what each of them is used for.

📅 4 August · Animal migrations

Why do some animals travel thousands of kilometres every year? What drives them to undertake these remarkable journeys? In this activity we will discover the secrets of animal migration.

As we will see, many species regularly move between their breeding areas and the places where they spend the winter, on journeys that are often long and full of challenges. We will learn which animals in Menorca migrate, which remain on the island all year round, and the strategies that enable them to complete these extraordinary journeys.

📅 11 August · Invasive species: what dangers do they pose to native wildlife?

Did you know that, in addition to native wildlife, the Centre is also home to some exotic animals? Can you imagine why?

In this workshop we will discover the story of Fausto, an African spurred tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) that was found injured on a road in Menorca more than a decade ago and, after recovering, can no longer be released into the wild on the island.

Using his story as a starting point, we will learn how these animals arrive here, the problems caused by the trade in exotic species, and what happens when they are released or escape. Through games and activities, we will understand what invasive species are, how they can compete with native wildlife, alter ecosystems, or spread diseases, and what we can all do to protect Menorca’s biodiversity.

📅 18 August · Animal coats: discover the meaning of their colours

Why do some animals blend into their surroundings while others display striking colours? In this activity we will discover that colours have many more functions than might appear at first sight.

We will learn how colours help animals camouflage themselves, warn of danger, attract mates or communicate with others of the same species. We will also see how these adaptations are the result of millions of years of evolution and have helped many species survive and reproduce. A fun way to understand that, in nature, colours tell stories too.

Summer open days and family activities

The Menorca Wildlife Recovery Centre operates under an agreement between GOB Menorca and the Wildlife Recovery Consortium (COFIB), under the supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Natural Environment of the Government of the Balearic Islands.

Remember that the Centre can be visited throughout the summer, Monday to Saturday, from 6:00 pm until sunset.