This is the only raptor rescue and rehabilitation centre in Croatia.
It was set up by volunteers almost 30 years ago in a Mediterranean forest 20 minutes’ drive from the famous Dalmatian coast.
The centre offers visitors the opportunity to learn about birds of prey and, if they are brave enough, to hold and feed some of them.
It is also a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site. It is open to visitors in the summer, but cares for injured, sick or simply exhausted birds all year round. Only when they are completely healthy are the birds released into the wild. Gradually, they assembled a team of veterinarians and ornithologists, created an NGO and opened the centre in Dubrava Forest.
The centre receives between 120 and 180 birds every year. Some stay here forever, as they cannot survive in the wild for various reasons. They are the ones who interact with visitors the most.
When the center first opened, it only received funds from entrance fees: 10 euros for adults and 3 euros for children. However, later the Croatian government realized the importance of its work and began funding many of its activities.
