Project Wounded

Worldwide, majestic rhinos are ruthlessly slaughtered for their precious ivory, while unsuspecting cheetahs fall prey to ruthless poaching, simply because farmers want to protect their livestock. The habitats of the rare orangutans are shrinking at a frightening pace. Wild animals all over the world are in danger of being crushed under the indifferent foot of humanity.

This tragic story is unfolding not only far away in a distant country, but also in our own backyard, perhaps on a scale that seems smaller, but where innocent beings are still victims.

Every year, thousands of animals end up in an Animal Shelter. They are the orphaned souls, victims of traffic accidents, winged friends entangled in barbed wire...

These voiceless beings beg for recognition. It is our moral duty to hear their cry and take strong action. Together we can make a difference for the animals who need our compassion, protection and care. Let us strive together for a world where wilderness, both far and near, flourishes and where every life has the opportunity to thrive in harmony.

Prints with a Heart: buy Art, Save Wildlife!

Thanks to loving care of these institutions, many animals are given a second chance and can be released back into the wild. These 'rescues' have been photographed in a unique way and can now be acquired as prints. A memento of the love for nature and animals, where each photo tells a story of hope, recovery and the priceless bond between people and nature.

See the Prints

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.

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.

Critical Care

This deer goat was hit by a car and was seriously traumatized. She is just over 1 year old and there is a good chance she is pregnant. The employees of the rehabilitation center in Geraardsbergen administered the expensive "Critical Care" by hand for days and nights. Today she ate blackberries for the first time. This means she is recovering well and when she has fully recovered she will be released back into the wild.

This moving journey from trauma to recovery highlights the efforts of the people at the rehabilitation center and their dedication to saving animal lives. The story of this deer tells not only about physical recovery, but also about hope, perseverance and the power of human care for the vulnerable animals that need our protection.

The Green Desert

Over the past decade, the number of hedgehogs has mysteriously halved, a worrying trend that affects us all. The suspected culprits are urbanization and well-maintained gardens. In the race towards neatly mowed lawns and even artificial grass, wild plants and animals are getting less and less space. Hedgehogs, which depend on a varied habitat, now often have to cross several gardens in one night to find enough food. However, many gardens are closed on three sides, forcing these useful animals to move along the street sides, with all the dangers that entails.

The responsibility does not only lie with politicians or nature organizations; we can make a difference tpp. Simple actions, such as a small opening of 6 by 6 inches in the fence, allow hedgehogs to move from garden to garden. A bowl of water (not milk!) and some cat food or fruit contribute to their well-being. If you want to welcome hedgehogs into your garden, create a wild area with leaves and branches in the autumn so that they have a suitable hiding place for their hibernation. Together we can turn the tide for these vulnerable garden residents.

The Silent Call of the Seal

A seal lies along the coast of Blankenberge, exhausted and weakened. His breathing is labored, his heart rate rapid. It's not the only one; Sea Life Blankenberge has welcomed more tired seals in recent weeks, all affected by exhaustion.

There are several causes behind this dire situation. Lack of food, caused by overfishing, forces the seals to an exhaustive search for prey. In addition, they suffer from disturbance by tourists, who unintentionally disturb their peace by taking selfies or touching them, which causes serious stress to the seals.

When the exhausted seal washed up on shore, it had been looking for food for days. Sea Life's dedicated caregivers discovered malnutrition and respiratory infection, and are now committed to his recovery and rest.

While hoping for the speedy recovery of this individual seal, Sea Life Blankenberge remains concerned about its peers in the North Sea. A silent cry for help for these beautiful creatures that urgently need our protection.

Silent Sorrow

In the heart of the hunting season, not only game is hunted, but also the precious bond between mother fox and her cubs. The sad result is often that a mother fox is shot, leaving the defenseless young in their nest. Without their mother's care, these young will starve to death. When they venture outside, passersby find them and call the animal shelter, where the vulnerable creatures are cared for, rehabilitated and fed.

However, the dilemma begins when these young foxes end up in the shelter. Faced with a part of their life behind bars, deprived of sight and sound, the dedicated volunteers are not allowed to speak. The fox is cared for for an entire year, a process that is not only emotionally taxing, but also financially. Ironically, the fox's habituation to human presence and voices would be its downfall, as upon returning to nature it would walk without hesitation to a hunter, only to unfortunately fall victim to a bullet.

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.

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.

JOUW STEUN HELPT!

Every year thousands of animals are taken to a VOC, a Wild Animal Shelter. Animals hit by cars, birds entangled in barbed wire, abandoned pets, cat victims... and much more. This is our wild nature close to home!

The voiceless must be heard.

LISTEN TO YOUR HEART AND SPONSOR THE PROJECT

The photo project is still ongoing, and the promise of a beautiful photo book is on the horizon. This book will contain not only stories, but also emotional images, artistic photos of rescued animals and more. Your generous sponsorship can make the realization of this book possible, with the proceeds being distributed fairly among various shelters.

Please feel free to contact us; Together we can ensure that wild animals get a new chance.

Contact

PROJECT WOUNDED

Prints with a Heart: buy Art, Save Wildlife!

JOUW STEUN HELPT!

Every year thousands of animals are taken to a VOC, a Wild Animal Shelter. Animals hit by cars, birds entangled in barbed wire, abandoned pets, cat victims... and much more. This is our wild nature close to home! ​ The voiceless must be heard.

LISTEN TO YOUR HEART AND SPONSOR THE PROJECT

Every year thousands of animals are taken to a VOC, a Wild Animal Shelter. Animals hit by cars, birds entangled in barbed wire, abandoned pets, cat victims... and much more. This is our wild nature close to home!

The voiceless must be heard.