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Who are we?
Save Bambi is a not-for-profit association whose mission is to protect and save wildlife free of charge of our countryside before the haymaking, and this throughout Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
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A history of commitment to nature
The adventure of our ASBL Save Bambi began in 2020. Alerted by a farmer friend who was desperate to find fawns mown down every year, Cédric decided to take action. He found out about the methods recently tested in Germany and in Switzerland. It is equipped with a drone equipped with a thermal camera to detect animals invisible to the human eye, he succeeded in his first rescues and launched the ASBL, which went on to grow considerably in Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Helping to preserve wildlife
Save the wildlife of our countryside
During the mowing season, when the sun is just rising, volunteers from the ASBL Sauvons Bambi are already hard at work. With the help of drones equipped with thermal imaging camerasThey fly over the fields free of charge before mowing to save the lives hidden in the tall grass. Their mission: identify and protect fawns, grouse and breeding birds on the ground before the farm machinery passes. Each rescue is a real victory for wildlife and biodiversity !
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Let's avoid the silent tragedies caused by mowing
At the dawn of spring, our meadows are a source of natural refuge for many wild animals. Every year, thousands of animals lose their lives in atrocious suffering, despite all the precautions taken by those working in the field when haymaking period which coincides with that of births.
Animals camouflaged from predators in the natural nursery
Many of the wild animals that live in the countryside give birth in the countryside. tall grasses for protect their offspring from predators. This protective instinct leads the goat to keep her distance from her fawn so as not to leave any scent on it. She rests close by, keeping an eye on her young. The fawn's instinct is to stay at a distance. motionless and silent to avoid detection.
For their part, some birds build their nests directly on the ground, in winter cereals and dense grasses. As for the haresThey choose winter ploughing and these same cereal fields to give birth to and rear their young.
When a natural refuge turns into a death trap...
When farm machinery comes into action, the instinct of these wild animals becomes their worst enemy: in the face of danger, they will do not move. Instead of running away, they remain on the ground, thinking that their immobility will be enough to protect them. But against the blades of the reapers, this strategy leaves them with nothing. no chance... That's where we come in: our thermal cameras enable us to detect them before it's too late.
A health hazard for livestock and the food chain
When farm machinery mows fields, it unknowingly kills the animals that hide there. Visit decomposing carcasses create an environment conducive to the development of botulisma deadly bacterium. Mixed in with crops intended for livestock feed, it contaminates the food chain. cattle, sheep and horses.
This plague can lead to considerable losses for farms. Once botulism takes hold, the consequences spread to the whole of the food chain. food chainjeopardizing the health security farms and livestock. We can help prevent this disaster. We act directly at the source, by preventing the death of hidden animals during mowing, and therefore the development of botulism.
How is a rescue carried out?
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Contact us before mowing: a free service
To ensure that our intervention is effective, make your request 24 to 48 hours before mowingpreferably via our dedicated BAMBI MAP website or by phone if really necessary.
Our teams intervene early morning, between 5.30am and 9amThe earlier we arrive, the better our chances of detecting animals hidden in your fields. The earlier we arrive, the better our chances of detecting animals hiding in your fields. If the sun is too high and temperatures too high, the ground becomes hotter than the animal, making detection extremely difficult, if not impossible...
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Plan for two accompanying persons in addition to the pilot
Our drone pilot carries out the fly over your field. But for the mission to succeed, it needs two people on site to assist with the rescue, as he cannot be at the controls of his drone and handle a wild animal at the same time. So be prepared!
Once the animal has been detected, the companion, guided by remote control, goes to the plot. He will then place the animal found in a protective box in compliance with the association's protocol, which was explained to him at the start of the mission by our pilot.
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Bring your life-saving equipment
To ensure their safety, the fawns are placed in adapted boxes (2 boxes 30 cm high placed one on top of the other and sealed with collars) or a canvas bag (depending on the age of the fawn), prepared by you. The animals are handled with disposable gloves to ensure leave no odour on the animal.
The crates are placed in a quiet, shady spot on the edge of the wood. Visit agricultural works must then be carried out without delay ! A fawn, for example, cannot stay for more than 3 to 4 hours without being breastfed by its mother. So time is running out!
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Release the wild animals of our countryside in safety
The farmer is responsible for the release wild animals in the best possible conditions after mowing. They must be quickly released after agricultural work and on the edge of the wood. Don't worry about the fawns: the chevrette is never far away.
This rescue process, which has been used for years by non-profit associations throughout Europe, enables the animals to return safely to their natural environment. The process has been validated by the Department for the Study of the Natural and Agricultural Environment (DEMNA).
Request an intervention
Our actions don't stop there
Thanks to our expertise, our equipment and our network of volunteers, we are able to carry out other actions to protect wildlife.
Raising awareness of the dangers of mowing
We organise awareness to farmers, hunters, agricultural contractors and landowners to raise their awareness of the need to protect the environment. dangers of mowing for wildlife and farm animals. We are demonstrating that there are simple, effective and accessible solutions for protecting nature while making farming safer.
Thermal detection training and sponsorship for new pilots
We offer all volunteer pilot candidates a specialist training the use of drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras. New candidates learn to pilot the drones, analyse the thermal readings and organise effective interventions to detect animals hidden in the fields.
We have also set up a sponsorship system New pilots are given personalised support for their first missions by more experienced pilots. The aim is to provide them with a framework for sharing experience in the field.
Wild animal rescue training
We also teach volunteers about good practices for handling these animals and their investment in protection funds.
Thermal drone sales
Through a partner specialising in rescue, Sauvons Bambi is offering the sale of DJI drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras. These drones are a completely autonomous solution for securing fields and protecting wildlife before each mowing operation. Our teams provide thermal detection training to guarantee maximum efficiency for new volunteer pilots.
Animal census
Thanks to our thermal drones, we are helping to animal population census in nature reserves and large agricultural plains, particularly partridges in spring. This technology allows us to locate, count and monitor local species without intrusion or disturbance.
This data is invaluable to land managers, biologists and nature conservation associations, as it provides an accurate picture of biodiversity in Belgium. For example, we are currently testing spring partridge countsin collaboration with DEMNA.
Together, we can save the wildlife of our countryside: support us!
Every operation is a race against time, a fight to preserve life. But we can't do it alone. With your supportWe can continue to protect these fragile creatures, invisible to the naked eye, but so precious.
Make a donation to our association
Every one-off or recurring donation has a direct impact on our actions. It allows us to acquire drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras, and other equipment essential to our rescues. Our donors also help to cover travel expenses of our volunteers and overheads necessary for the running of the association. By making a donation, you are supporting our project and offering a second chance animals threatened by mowing.
Join the members of the ASBL
By becoming a member of the ASBL Sauvons Bambi, you are joining a community of enthusiasts committed to protecting wildlife. Your membership is a strong sign: it gives us the means to pursue our mission and extend our actions to protect even more animals. What's more, you'll be priority to obtain our intervention before the mowing operations on your territory.
Become a volunteer for Save Bambi
If you share our love of nature and want to take action, why not join our team as a volunteer ? The pilots and rescuers of Save Bambi are at the heart of our mission and are active in their region. Our volunteers work to ensure that every animal at risk in our fields has a chance to grow up.
A supportive network: where are our pilots?
Thanks to our network of over 70 volunteer drivers in Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, thousands of animals have already been saved. Every year, we recruit between 20 and 30 new drivers to strengthen our actions. By buying a drone and becoming a volunteer pilot, you'll be joining a a passionate community committed to nature.
Consult our card interactive to find out where our pilots are and see the extent of our commitment in your region.
Invest in a drone to save wildlife
Would you like to become even more actively involved? Invest in a drone and become volunteer pilot. We offer you a complete training and a reduction on the purchase your drone. Join our network and make a direct contribution to protecting wildlife.
Investing in wildlife
Become a volunteer pilot for Sauvons Bambi
Would you like to help save thousands of wild animals in the countryside? If you are located in Belgium and are motivated to give a little of your time, join us as a volunteer pilot ! You'll receive a training to carry out your missions in the field, in your area of action.
Become a volunteer pilot
Our sponsors
Our actions would not be possible without the invaluable support of our sponsors. Thanks to their commitment and generosity, we have the following resources at our disposal resources required to take effective action on the ground. We would like to send all our sponsors a sincere thanks for their commitment.
