The pardelas cenicientas on La Gomera

A campaign against light pollution to protect this emblematic Canary Islands seabird.

A seabird in danger

Every year, young pardelas cenicientas (or ash pardelas) leave the cliffs of La Gomera for the ocean. However, these birds are often disoriented by artificial coastal lights, which endangers them by causing them to land in inappropriate places.

A campaign to reduce light pollution

The Cabildo de La Gomera, in partnership with local municipalities, has launched an initiative to adapt street lighting, particularly in sensitive areas such as sports fields and seafront promenades in San Sebastián, Alajeró, and Valle Gran Rey. Halogen lamps and light globes, which greatly disturb these nocturnal birds, are subject to specific measures to reduce their intensity.

How to help pardelas in distress

If you find a disoriented pardela, here are the recommended steps:

Gently cover the bird with a towel to calm it.
Place in a perforated cardboard box to ensure good ventilation.
Contact the appropriate authorities: Call +34 922 14 15 01 or 1-1-2 for rapid assistance.

Note: Avoid feeding or immobilizing the bird.

Thanks to this campaign and everyone’s involvement, La Gomera hopes to effectively protect the pardela cenicienta and raise public awareness of wildlife conservation.

Conclusion

This initiative demonstrates the importance of collective commitment to preserving biodiversity. If you’re staying on La Gomera, don’t hesitate to contribute to this campaign by following local instructions and learning more about these fascinating birds.

For full information and the latest news on the conservation campaign, visit the Cabildo de La Gomera and Gomeranoticias websites.