My Experience in Wildlife Conservation and Bird Care 

My involvement at the Genthod Ornithological Rehabilitation Center (COR) was an immensely rewarding practical experience, allowing me to develop expertise in managing both wild and domestic birds. This collaboration provided an opportunity to deepen my knowledge of Swiss avian fauna and the inherent challenges in its conservation.

Starting as an intern in February 2022, my role expanded from May to August 2022, covering the center's peak season. My duties encompassed receiving birds brought in by the public, feeding birds at various life stages, maintaining and disinfecting enclosures, providing daily care, performing basic health checks, and facilitating the release of birds back into the wild. Additionally, I played a key role in training new interns and volunteers and engaging with visitors.

In the summer of 2023, I was actively involved in the COR's cantonal Common Swift project. My responsibilities included individual monitoring of swifts, overseeing their feeding and care, and participating in informed decision-making regarding necessary treatments and release dates.

Furthermore, in August of the same year, I embraced the opportunity to manage the center's Instagram page. Leveraging my photography skills, acquired during my exchange at the University of Puerto Rico, I aimed to creatively capture the everyday highlights at the COR. My objective was to bolster the center's online presence, thereby supporting its conservation efforts. This foray into social media strategy further ignited my interest in its application for environmental conservation organizations.

© Félicienne Zupppinger. Photographs taken at the Ornithological Rehabilitation Center of Genthod, Switzerland. 2023