Hundreds of baby birds fled their overheated nests during the recent heat wave, fell to the ground—and are now dependent on human help. Swifts, in particular, that have jumped from their nests are now filling the mostly volunteer-run wildlife rescue centers in Saxony, according to Karsten Peterlein of Wildvogelhilfe Leipzig. His center has since had to stop accepting new animals.
Peterlein reported that many wildlife rescue centers across Germany are also at full capacity or close to it. “It’s a disaster.” The situation was particularly dire in the overheated major cities. During the heat wave, more than 500 reports of found swift chicks were received in the Leipzig area. The Wildvogelhilfe Leipzig was able to take in 76 chicks. “We lack the time, staff, and funds to take in any more.”
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