Project Wounded

"Waar Kwetsbaarheid en Hoop Elkaar Ontmoeten"

In opvangcentra voor wilde dieren ontvouwt zich dagelijks een verhaal van pijn en genezing. Deze beelden documenteren de stille moed van gewonde dieren en de grenzeloze toewijding van hun verzorgers.

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The Assembly Line

"In early spring, nature awakens, and for every shelter in Flanders this means the start of an intense period. Up to 80 animals are brought in every day, vulnerable creatures that need attention and care. This increased number is partly due to the birth of many young animals.

The heart-warming spectacle unfolds as a tableau of human mercy, where many have their hearts in the right place. Animals, sometimes victims of cats or fallen from trees due to a storm or gardeners' early spring fever, find their way to shelters. It is moving to see how involved people are; as soon as they encounter a young animal in need of help, they rush to the nearest shelter. An admirable act of compassion.

Nevertheless, it is advisable to first contact the local shelter, as in many cases nature itself offers a solution by replacing the young animals or the nest. This spring calls for a collective effort to cherish what is vulnerable and to act with love for all life that blossoms.

Exhausted!

Along the Belgian coast, seals seek quiet moments on the beach to regain energy. But increasingly, they’re approached by people wanting selfies. This disturbance causes stress and exhaustion, sometimes leading to the need for rescue at Sea Life Blankenberge. What may seem like an innocent photo can have serious consequences. Give them space and don’t get too close — true admiration is shown through respect.

Blown Away

A brutal storm sent a brave gannet hopelessly off course, only to end up stranded in the middle of a forest in the enchanting province of Namur. Without the helping hand of compassion, this majestic seabird would never find its way back to the sea on its own. It's fate was made even grimmer by a contaminated plumage, which threatened the poor gannet to sink, as a heartbreaking symbol of helplessness. Fortunately, the Ostend Wildlife Shelter turned out to be the saving angel in Belgium, an oasis of hope for animals in need.

In a moving collaboration between dedicated staff and volunteers from "Centre de Revalidation pour Animaux Sauvages", the two stranded gannets were lovingly transferred to the Ostend sanctuary just a day after their discovery. Here they reveal not only the physical consequences of their ordeals, but also the profound need for human care.

The impressive rescue work even included using a toothbrush between the gannet's beak, as this noble bird is devoid of nostrils. This meticulous detail reflects the extraordinary care and devotion that every being deserves, even those without words. May this story be a testament not only to the resilience of nature, but also to the inexhaustible love and efforts that comes together to protect our companions of this planet.

The Sorrow of Lokeren

An unusual situation unfolded when a deer ended up for mysterious reasons in the center of Lokeren, hiding in the backyard of a concerned citizen. The shelter was called in to capture the animal and release it back into the wild. What started as a seemingly simple mission quickly turned out to be complex. Manpower and nets were deployed and even the help of the police could not turn the tide, hours of fruitless attempts followed.

Despite determined efforts, the deer continued to escape until it tragically crashed into a fence post and became unconscious. Mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was immediately administered in a desperate attempt to save the animal. Unfortunately, all efforts were to no avail, and the animal gave its last breath on the spot. A moving tragedy in which the boundless dedication of the volunteers came up against the cruelty of fate.

the Green desert

Over the past decade, hedgehog numbers in Flanders have halved — and no one knows exactly why. What we do know is that urbanization and perfectly manicured gardens play a major role in their decline.
Where hedgehogs once wandered through every neighbourhood and garden, they now face a maze of fenced-off, paved or artificial turf yards to find food. Many gardens are sealed on three sides, forcing hedgehogs to travel along roads between plots, increasing their risk of traffic accidents.
What you can do
You don’t need to be a politician or nature expert to help hedgehogs — your garden can make all the difference.
🔹 Create a passage:
Cut or dig a 15 x 15 cm opening in your fence to let hedgehogs safely move between gardens.
🔹 Offer food and water:
Leave out a shallow bowl of water (no milk!), possibly with cat kibble or some fruit.
🔹 Provide shelter:
Let part of your garden grow wild. In autumn, collect leaves and branches to give hedgehogs a safe spot to hibernate.

Battle for Existence

In the twilight of a peaceful garden, where a heron occasionally foraged for food, a dark turn arose. The owner, overcome with incomprehension, opted for a bow and arrow to chase away the heron. The arrow found its target, not only in the heron's wing, but also in the heart of humanity.

A concerned neighbor, devastated by the cruelty, contacted the Merelbeke wildlife sanctuary. The heron, hidden in a chilly warehouse, was eventually rescued by dedicated volunteers. The arrow was removed, but the pain of unnecessary suffering lingered.

This story emphasizes the dark side of misunderstanding and haste, where the heron fell victim not only to an arrow, but to human thoughtlessness. The heron was looking for food in the garden because it is its natural instinct to eat fish. Unfortunately, this led to an unintended conflict with the garden owner, who did not understand that the heron was simply following its survival instincts.

Genetic Similarity

The Java monkey (Macaca fascicularis) is widely used in medical research due to its genetic similarity to humans. In laboratories, it undergoes testing for vaccines, infectious diseases, neurobiology and toxicology. Often, it lives for years in isolation and under stressful conditions. Now in a wildlife rescue center, this monkey reminds us that scientific progress carries ethical responsibility — behind every study lies a living being with feeling.

Lucky?

Hunting adult foxes leaves young cubs motherless and helpless. After the parent was shot, one den waited in vain for care. Only one cub was found alive and is now being rehabilitated with great care. Feeding takes place under strict protection due to the risk of rabies — a deadly virus that can spread to humans through saliva. While he is closely monitored, there is still hope that this small survivor will one day find his place back in the wild.

JOUW STEUN HELPT!

Elk jaar worden duizenden dieren naar een VOC, een Opvangcentrum voor Wilde Dieren, gebracht. Dieren die aangereden zijn door auto's, vogels die in prikkeldraad verstrikt raakten, achtergelaten huisdieren, slachtoffers van katten ... en nog veel meer. Dit is onze wilde natuur dichtbij huis!

De stemlozen moeten worden gehoord.

LAAT JOUW HART SPREKEN EN WORDT SPONSOR

Het fotoproject is nog steeds lopend, en op de horizon prijkt de belofte van een prachtig fotoboek. Dit boek zal niet alleen verhalen bevatten, maar ook emotionele beelden, artistieke foto's van geredde dieren en meer. Jouw genereuze sponsoring kan de realisatie van dit boek mogelijk maken, waarbij de opbrengsten eerlijk verdeeld worden onder diverse opvangcentra.

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