Research and Rehabilitation

The ICBP makes the collection available for some research, so that the birds can be used in such a way as to assist in welfare and conservation of the species. There are however some very strict rules, and any research undertaken must not be harmful to the individual birds. A number of projects have been undertaken such as food aversion trials, looking at immune systems, DNA studies, and proteins in raptor eggs, to name but a few. We also work in research programmes outside the Centre. Monitoring the collection is a research project in itself. We work on researching education to see what works well and what does not.

The ICBP takes in upwards of 100 injured, sick or confiscated birds each year. This number varies, often depending on the weather conditions throughout the year. Birds come in from all over the country and are treated by the Centre’s vet and the centre staff, before being released back to the wild wherever possible. We work hand in hand with many vets, the RSPCA Wildlife Units and other rehabilitators, all of whom we are proud to be associated with. We plan on building a dedicated clinic for injured wild birds as soon as funding is available.