Nature rangers stationed on the Desertas Islands are safe, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) has confirmed, following the circulation of a video showing torrential rain and large volumes of water flowing across the island.
In a statement issued after 19:00 on Saturday, the 7th of November, the Institute said it remained in regular contact with the team. Backup communication systems were also in place to maintain contact if the main channels were disrupted.
IFCN president Manuel Filipe said staff safety was a priority and that there was no situation putting the rangers’ lives at risk.
The Institute explained that the team’s accommodation was a solid timber building, raised above ground level to reduce the risks associated with heavy rainfall. Its design took account of the terrain and local weather conditions.
It added that heavy rain and adverse weather were common on the Desertas during winter and were factored into the planning and operation of teams stationed there.
The footage was released by Fernando Chacón, a collaborator with the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA), who is also on the islands. It was subsequently shared by others, including opposition politicians.
Among those expressing concern was unaffiliated Madeira Legislative Assembly member Miguel Castro, who questioned why the rangers had remained on the islands despite forecasts of severe weather associated with Storm Bruna.
Writing on social media, Castro said he had hoped staff would have been evacuated before the storm arrived, stressing that protecting human life should take priority.
The IFCN criticised the circulation of the footage without context or prior checks on conditions on the ground. It said this had caused unjustified alarm and concern among the rangers’ families.
Manuel Filipe said heavy rainfall should not be confused with an emergency or taken to mean that lives were in danger.
The Institute said it continued to monitor the team and that the necessary safety and communication arrangements remained in place.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
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