CRAM welcomes the participation of the following organizations and companies:
The CRAM Foundation has boomed in the last few years, becoming a model in the rehabilitation and treatment of marine animals thanks to its actions both at the national and international levels, through cooperation with other organizations.
In order to strengthen this growth, the CRAM has moved to a new Rehabilitation Center in Prat de Llobregat, the first headquarters specially designed for the treatment of cetaceans, turtles and sea birds. The New Rehabilitation Center allows us to act more efficiently against serious threats like epidemics or spillages in the marine environment, and it also plays a key role in our awareness-raising task.
Located in the former Prat del Llobregat golf course, the New Rehabilitation Center is a 18,000 square meter complex with a rehabilitation clinic; a building for administration, personnel and training; a center for postmortem studies and several pools and tanks for the treatment of injured individuals and their reintroduction into the wild:
CLINIC
In order to face the threats to the marine environment, like epidemics or oil spillages, the Rehabilitation Center has state-of-the-art facilities for the treatment of cetaceans, turtles and sea birds, as well as a well-trained workforce ready to take action 24/7 all over the Catalan coastiline.
We have designed aquatic areas that accurately recreate the Mediterranean marine environment. Our goal is to create our own “marine area”. Thus, the water supply system will come directly from the sea, and we will install a current generator which will simulate the sea waves.
Turtles, dolphins and sea birds are some of the species that will be treated in the care units of the clinic. The facilities will be equipped with operating rooms, X-ray, ecographs and other medical equipment to make accurate diagnosis.
RESEARCH BUILDING
Thanks to its research on treatment and rehabilitation of endangered marine animals, the Rehabilitation Center has encouraged the creation of a think tank about biology and veterinary medicine in Catalunya, which has allowed us to become a European model on knowledge creation and transference about the conservation of the marine environment.
The postmortem studies area will allow the scientists to undertake necropsies when in need to clarify the causes of the death of some animals. Thus, they will have the information to generate specific knowledge that will be very useful in future research initiatives undertaken together with other organizations in the veterinary and biology fields.
EDUCATION BUILDING
To face the new global challenges concerning the marine environment, we have to be ready to educate and to spread the word about the threats it faces. Thus, the Rehabilitation Center is designed to welcome thousands of visitors anually and to attract students and scientists from all over the world devoted to the study of the sea and its animals.
The Rehabilitation Center will be able to host more than 100,000 visitors every year. The pool design, with glass windows opaque from the inside and visible from the outside, will allow the visitors to watch the animals without any harm to them. Thus, we will stay true to our commitment to non-intrusive educational activities.
The complex is located in a scenic area of great environmental importance, the Llobregat Delta. This will position the CRAM as one of the main sights in the guided tours of the area, extending the reach of our activities.
