Lithuania

[February 2007] - Following a groundbreaking meeting between LiSPA, Naturewatch, the Lithuanian Veterinary Academy and Government officials, LiSPA now has plans to develop a new wildlife rehabilitation unit.

The dedicated wildlife rehab centre team work long hours tending to all sorts of wild animals, ranging from injured storks and swans to deer that have been hit by cars. However, the team's work has expanded so much over the year's that they have outgrown their old premises at the Lithuanian Veterinary Academy.

The new base for the wildlife rehab team will be in a former pig farm close to Kaunas, along the Baltic Highway, meaning that it will be easily accessible location both for citizens and staff, while still having plenty of space to house injured wildlife.

Left to right: Dr Ben Noreikis (LiSPA); Prof Henrikas Zilinskas (Rector, Lithuanian Veterinary Academy); John Ruane (Naturewatch); Minister Arunas Kundrotas; Dr Kazimieras Lukauskas (Director, State Food & Veterinary Service); Ministerial Under-Secretary Aleksandras Spruogis.

It is hoped that the new centre will have a dedicated educational facility for veterinary students and a specialised quarantine centre will be located on the site which will managed by LiSPA in cooperation with Ministry of the Environment and the State Food and Veterinary Service. This new development shows the foresight of Lithuanian Government officials who realise that the protection of wildlife is not only of benefit for the animals but also for that of all citizens of Lithuania.

Update July 2007

It has been agreed that a proposal for a new Wildlife Rehabilitaion Centre will be put forward by LiSPA to the Parliament on World Animal Day - 4th October. Now the Society has such an excellent track record and can proudly say it's a leading animal welfare authority in Lithuania, this is most definitely the best way forward for LiSPA and Lithuania's animals.

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