Help the Portuguese Wolves Keep Their Sanctuary
Don’t Let Our Wolves Become Homeless – Last Push is
the final step to raise the money needed to buy the 42-acre site on which the
Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre (IWRC) stands. This is the only wolf sanctuary in
Portugal, where only 300 of these endangered predators remain in the wild.
Three years ago, our Indiegogo campaign raised
$71,300USD, with generous donations from over 1,700 people. This, along with
national contributions, left the IWRC needing only $61,500 to meet the final installments
for the land purchase.
Now, the Centre must call out one more time to all of
you that love and admire the wolf: we mustn’t let this unique space disappear.
If we do, “our” wolves will no longer be the much-needed ambassadors for their
species. And they’ll be left without a home.
Please,
act now. Before it’s too late for the Iberian Wolf.
Join the IWRC Pack!
![]()
Grupo Lobo, the
responsible for the IWRC, is an independent non-profit NGO founded in 1985.
Grupo Lobo works to conserve the Iberian wolf (Canis lupus signatus) and its habitat in Portugal, where the wolf
population has been declining for many decades. Grupo Lobo's mission is to
provide accurate and updated information about the wolf, to contribute to the
development of scientific studies about the species, to educate and to raise
awareness among the general public of the importance of this predator and
promote practical conservation measures that increase coexistence between man
and wolf.
The work of Grupo Lobo has been recognized nationally
and internationally by being awarded with several prizes such as:
·
1987 – An
honorable mention in the international competition The Rolex Awards for
Enterprise, with the Signatus Project
·
2001 – Joint
1st prize of the “Ford Motor Company Award” for Conservation and Environment
·
2010 – BES
Biodiversity Award First Prize, with the project “Wolf conservation in Portugal - from theory to practice”
For further information please go to http://lobo.fc.ul.pt/UK
On the Verge of Extinction
Only a century ago, the Iberian Wolf inhabited the whole of Spain and Portugal. But then superstition, fear and unchecked hunting almost finished this predator off. The growing presence of Man cut up his territory and nearly condemned it to disappear.
Today, only 300 wolves roam the Portuguese mountains. Still persecuted by hunters, farmers and ignorance. Still on the brink of extinction, of leaving our world and our country poorer.
The IWRC
In 1987, Grupo Lobo created the IWRC, to create a suitable
environment for wolves that can no longer live in the wild – giving wolves that
have been rescued from inappropriate captivity, or are injured or disabled, a safe
haven. It is located in central Portugal, in Picão (Mafra), about 30 km from
the Portuguese capital, Lisbon. A beautiful 42-acre area, replicating the
wolf’s habitat, with secure living conditions for animals that can’t be
returned to the wild.
In 28 years, over 100,000 visitors have discovered the
Iberian wolf, its biology and ecology, as well as the menaces that threaten it.
The majority were children, from schools all over the country. Many researchers
have stayed here while studying this unique animal. The Centre also runs a
volunteer program for those who wish to help wildlife conservation. As well as
an adoption program that enables people to adopt one or more wolves, helping to
keep them in perfect and healthy conditions.
For further information please go to http://lobo.fc.ul.pt/UK/?page=conteudos/cr_lobo_iberico
![]()
Preserving a Safe Haven for Persecuted Wolves
Buying the site of the Iberian Wolf Recovery Centre,
to allow "our" wolves to have a permanent home, is of critical importance to
Grupo Lobo. In 2012, our first campaign brought us closer to this goal.
Now, we need your help to raise the remaining funds needed – $61,500 – to purchase the land, that will solely be used to protect these wolves. You
can make the difference and be part of the pack that will save this endangered
species!
Grupo Lobo urges you all to contribute towards the
purchase of this important site. Any donation, however small, will help us and
can make the difference. All the help is needed and will be much appreciated. And
check out our rewards: maybe you’ll spend a night here, amongst the howling
wolves...
These Wolves Count on Your Support!
![]()
Make an Impact
With your help we will continue our mission, making a
decisive contribution to the conservation of the Iberian wolf, a unique
subspecies and a fascinating animal that is the focus of so many traditions,
myths and fables throughout the world.
The wolves that find refuge here play an important
role in raising awareness of the wolf’s plight and contribute to the
conservation of the species, being true ambassadors of wolves in the wild.
Every year, thousands of people have their first glimpse of a wolf in the Centre,
and are made aware of the dangers that this species faces in the wild under the
constant threat of extinction in Portugal.
Other Ways You Can Help
Even if you can't make a donation, you
can still contribute to this cause and make the difference by spreading the
word:
·
Please
talk about this campaign with your family, friends, colleagues... everyone!
·
Tell
them that every $5 will help these wolves have a home for life.
·
Share
this in your personal mail, Facebook, Twitter...
·
Visit
our website http://lobo.fc.ul.pt
·
Become
a friend of Grupo Lobo in Facebook
·
Follow
us on Twitter
·
Use
the Indiegogo share tools!
![]()
Esta campanha é decisiva para a compra dos terrenos do Centro de Recuperação do Lobo Ibérico
Precisamos da ajuda de todos!
Em 2012, a nossa primeira
campanha de angariação de fundos nesta plataforma de crowdfunding foi um passo decisivo. Em Portugal, milhares
de amigos do lobo contribuíram de forma generosa. Mas o CRLI ainda está em
risco: é chegado o momento de fazer os últimos pagamentos, sendo necessários
mais 55.000€.
O Grupo Lobo pede a todos
o auxílio possível, para manter vivo este santuário animal que tanto tem contribuído
para a sensibilização e conservação do último grande carnívoro do nosso País.
São 17 hectares que recriam o habitat natural do lobo ibérico – espécie
ameaçada de que restam apenas cerca de 300 exemplares em Portugal. Com
condições seguras para animais que já não podem viver em liberdade.
Em 28 anos, mais de 100.000 visitantes descobriram este predador quase
mítico, a sua biologia e ecologia; assim como as ameaças que sobre ele pendem.
A maioria desses visitantes são crianças, vindas de escolas de todo o país. E
muitos investigadores têm aqui ficado enquanto estudam este animal único.
Qualquer donativo, por este ou por outro meio, pode fazer a diferença; estamos mesmo na
ponta final desta luta. Não deixemos que se extinga mais um pouco da alma de
Portugal.
Fundamental é também divulgar a
campanha. Agradecemos portanto toda e qualquer forma de difusão que possa levar
esta iniciativa um pouco mais longe.
O vídeo em Português está aqui: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDLrqs8YUf4
Conheça melhor o CRLI em http://lobo.fc.ul.pt/?page=conteudos/cr_lobo_iberico
Informação actualizada sobre a
campanha estará disponível também na página de facebook do Grupo Lobo.
