The CREAVES Namur rehabilitation centre for wild animals was officially inaugurated on Saturday.
Just outside Temploux, it is expected to host more than 600 animals annually. (CREAVES = Centres de revalidation des espèces animales vivant à l'état sauvage.)
A smaller centre had opened in 2014 on the Temploutois territory but its activity was suspended.
CREAVES Namur, however, has every intention of remaining. The city of Namur has shown its support by providing the property and the Walloon Region has promised financial support to the association by refunding 70% of care cost, but only if the animal is saved and released.
"So, we have a basis, but it will be mainly donations that will allow the centre to thrive," its president Thierry Cambier said. "The population’s support is essential, knowing that tens of thousands of euros per year will be necessary to care for 600 to 1,000 animals."
The Brussels Times
