Hegalaldia

What Hegalaldia does

Hegalaldia (Association Hegalaldia, formerly L'envol) is a French non-profit association founded in 2000 and headquartered in Ustaritz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques. It operates the only authorized wildlife care center for the entire Pyrénées-Atlantiques department (64), with services also extending to southern Landes, Hautes-Pyrénées, and Gers. The association runs a 1-hectare site with over 25 aviaries, enclosures, pools, nurseries, and buildings, providing veterinary care and rehabilitation for more than 2,500 injured, orphaned, or distressed wild animals annually, supported by a 7/7 phone hotline and regulated by DREAL and DDPP authorities.

Core programs include wildlife rescue and release, environmental education animations delivered to 7 schools and ikastolas (Basque-language schools) at 14 sessions per week, naturalist training for adults and professionals, and targeted species conservation projects such as the PLAAN local action plan for the Little Owl (Athene noctua), the STOP IMPACT human-impact reduction program, and vulture rehabilitation that has contributed 50+ birds to European reintroduction programs in partnership with Bioparc Zoo de Doué-la-Fontaine and the Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna (Bulgaria). Additional activities include a pedagogical biodiversity garden, monthly newsletter distribution, and a merchandise line sold through an on-site boutique, external event stands, and a SpreadShop-powered online store.

Revenue is generated through a hybrid nonprofit model: tax-deductible individual donations and annual memberships (66% deduction under French law), public subsidies and grants from regional and departmental authorities (Région Nouvelle Aquitaine, Région Occitanie, Départements 64 and 65, DREAL, DDPP, local municipalities), private foundation grants (Nature & Découvertes Foundation, EDF Foundation, Bioparc Zoo Foundation), fee-based education and training services, merchandise sales, and multiple passive affiliate fundraising integrations (Eusko local currency, LILO search engine, Tookets loyalty, Drôlement Chouette e-commerce). Operations are led by Director Céline Maury (since 2008), governed by a volunteer Board of Administration, and supported by a small salaried team supplemented by Service Civique volunteers and community volunteers.

Name

Hegalaldia

Legal name

Association Hegalaldia

Website

https://hegalaldia.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hegalaldia is a French non-profit operating the only authorized wildlife care center for the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, rehabilitating over 2,500 wild animals annually and running environmental education and species conservation programs across the Basque Country.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Rehabilitation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Veterinary Services (541940)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Veterinary Charity Clinics & Medical Aid (BPAGAIAD), Animal Welfare & Advocacy Organizations (AFAEALAC), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG)

Keywords

• Wildlife rehabilitation services
• Animal care center
• Nature protection association
• Environmental education programs
• Biodiversity conservation projects

Headquarters

HQ city

Ustaritz

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Memberships: Primary funding source. Individuals make tax-deductible donations (66% tax deduction in France, capped at 20% of taxable income). Annual memberships support operations. Multiple fundraising campaigns per year target specific needs (e.g., small mammal care, storm damage repair, COVID-19 survival).
2. Public Subsidies and Grants: Receives funding from regional and departmental authorities (Région Nouvelle Aquitaine, Région Occitanie, Département Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Département Hautes-Pyrénées), DREAL, DDPP, and local municipalities. Also receives grants from private foundations such as Nature & Découvertes Foundation, EDF Foundation, and Bioparc Zoo Foundation.
3. Merchandise Sales: On-site boutique and online store selling branded merchandise (plush toys, clothing, mugs, keychains, pens, stickers, badges, books) with proceeds supporting animal care. Also sold at external event stands.
4. Education and Animation Services: Fee-based environmental education services: school animations (7 schools/ikastolas with 14 sessions per week), public nature activities, member excursions, and naturalist training for adults and professionals.
5. Eusko Currency Partnership: As a member of the Euskal Moneta local currency network, Hegalaldia receives 3% of eusko exchanges from supporters who designate the association, providing recurring non-monetary financial support.
6. Rounding Donation (Arrondi): Point-of-sale rounding donations collected at Nature & Découvertes stores, where customers round up their purchase total to benefit the association.
7. LILO Search Engine Fundraising: Supporters use the LILO search engine, which generates advertising revenue converted to 'water droplets' (gouttes) donated to Hegalaldia's wildlife care projects.
8. Tookets Loyalty Currency: Customers accumulate tookets (loyalty points from partner businesses) and redirect them to Hegalaldia, which converts to euros at 100 tookets = 1 euro.
9. Affiliate Sales (Drôlement Chouette): E-commerce affiliate partnership with Drôlement Chouette (owl-themed jewelry and apparel brand), which donates 5% of sales to Hegalaldia during designated campaign periods.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Hegalaldia operates the only authorized wildlife care center in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, providing veterinary care, rehabilitation, and release of injured, orphaned, and distressed wild animals—more than 2,500 animals per year. The association complements this core service with environmental education and naturalist training for schools and the public, conservation programs (Little Owl PLAAN, STOP IMPACT on human-wildlife impact, vulture reintroduction), a branded merchandise shop (online and on-site), and a monthly supporter newsletter.

Product overview

Hegalaldia is a non-profit wildlife conservation association operating the only wild animal care center in Pyrénées-Atlantiques, France. The core offering is the Centre de soins à la faune sauvage, providing veterinary care and rehabilitation for over 2,500 injured or distressed wild animals annually. The organization supplements its mission through multiple product lines: La boutique (both online via SpreadShop and on-site) selling branded merchandise (mugs, clothing, plush toys, stickers, books, etc.); Animations et formations naturalistes offering educational programs for schools and the public; conservation projects including the PLAAN (Little Owl protection) and STOP IMPACT (human impact reduction); an educational garden; monthly newsletter via MailChimp; and membership/donation services. These offerings interconnect to fund the care center operations while raising environmental awareness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wildlife Care Center (Centre de soins à la faune sauvage) The only authorized wildlife care center in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department, providing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and release of injured, orphaned, and distressed wild animals across 200+ species. Accepts intake 7/7, processes more than 2,500 animals per year, and runs on 1 hectare of facilities with 25+ aviaries, enclosures, pools, and nursing buildings. Open to the general public (individuals who find injured wildlife) and operates under DREAL and DDPP authorization.
• Online Boutique (La boutique d'Hegalaldia) E-commerce merchandise store operated via Spreadshop selling branded plush toys, clothing, mugs, keychains, pens, stickers, badges, and books. Proceeds support animal care operations. Ships products to customers with credit card payment.
• On-site Boutique at the Center Physical retail boutique at the center headquarters in Ustaritz selling branded merchandise including plush toys, clothing, mugs, keychains, pens, stickers, badges, and books, with stock availability confirmed by phone before visiting.
• Educational Animations and Naturalist Training (Animations et formations naturalistes) Fee-based environmental education services including school animations for primary schools and ikastolas (currently 14 sessions per week across 7 schools), public nature activities, member excursions, and naturalist training for adults and professionals across the Basque Country.
• PLAAN — Little Owl Local Action Plan Local conservation action plan (Plan Local d'Action Athene noctua) focused on monitoring and protecting the Little Owl population in the Basque region through habitat preservation, community engagement, and field surveys.
• STOP IMPACT — Human Impact Reduction Program Conservation project addressing the negative effects of human activities on wild animal populations, including collision prevention, awareness, and habitat conservation initiatives across the association's service territory.
• Educational Garden (Jardin pédagogique) On-site pedagogical garden featuring biodiversity demonstration areas including hedgerows, insect hotels, ponds, dry stone walls, and native plantings to showcase sustainable gardening practices and host educational visits.
• Annual Memberships and Tax-Deductible Donations (Adhésion / Dons) Membership and donation services allowing individual supporters to join the association with annual membership dues (valid January 1 to December 31, with partner discount benefits) and make tax-deductible donations qualifying for the French 66% tax deduction capped at 20% of taxable income.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2,500 animals rescued, cared for, and released annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DREAL 64 (Direction Régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement)coreOthersRegional environmental authority providing regulatory oversight and authorization for the center's wildlife care operations. Regularly inspects and approves the center's activities under French wildlife protection law.
• DDPP 64 (Direction Départementale de la Protection de la Population)coreOthersDepartmental authority overseeing animal welfare and population protection in Pyrénées-Atlantiques. Provides regulatory framework and oversight for wildlife care activities.
• Région Nouvelle AquitainecoreOthersRegional council providing public funding and institutional support to the association as part of its biodiversity and environmental protection mandate.
• Région OccitaniecoreOthersRegional council providing public funding and institutional support to the association.
• Département Pyrénées-Atlantiques (64)coreOthersDepartmental council providing financial support and institutional backing to the association. Organized a visit of departmental officials to the center.
• Département Hautes-PyrénéesminorOthersNeighboring departmental council providing financial support to the association.
• Communauté d'Agglomération Pau PyrénéesminorOthersUrban community providing institutional support and possibly funding.
• Communauté d'agglomération du Pays BasquecoreOthersBasque Country intercommunal authority providing institutional and financial support to the association headquartered in the Basque Country.
• Ville d'UstaritzcoreOthersHost municipality providing institutional support to the association. The center is located in Ustaritz at Chemin Bereterrenborda.
• Ville de Saint Pée sur NivelleminorOthersMunicipal partner providing support to the association.
• Ville de TarnosminorOthersMunicipal partner providing support to the association.
• Parc National des PyrénéescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational park authority collaborating on wildlife conservation, particularly for mountain species. Provides institutional legitimacy and potential species-specific conservation partnerships.
• Fédération Départementale des chasseurs des Pyrénées-AtlantiquesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHunting federation providing support and collaboration on wildlife conservation issues in the department, including human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
• ENEDISminorOthersElectricity grid operator providing financial support to the association. Mentioned in partner listings on the website.
• Jardinerie LafitteminorOthersGarden center partner providing support, including hosting author signings and promotional events for association merchandise.
• Bioparc Zoo de Doué-la-FontainecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual conservation grant (€3,000) since 2015 for vulture care. Non-releasable vultures are transferred to Bioparc for breeding; chicks are used in European reintroduction programs. 50+ birds reportedly contributed to reintroduction programs in France and Bulgaria.
• Fund for Wild Flora and Fauna (FFWW) — BulgariaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBulgarian conservation NGO collaborating on vulture reintroduction. In 2017, 20 griffon vultures rehabilitated by Hegalaldia were released in Bulgaria through the FFWW/Bioparc joint program.
• Parc Animalier des PyrénéesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPyrenees animal park receiving non-releasable wildlife from Hegalaldia for breeding and conservation display purposes.
• Euskal MonetacoreGTM or Marketing PartnerOperator of the Eusko local currency. Hegalaldia is a designated charity within the Eusko network. Supporters who use Eusko can donate 3% of their exchanged currency to the association. In 2015, over 600 euskos were raised. This is an ongoing annual revenue stream.
• Magasin Nature & Découvertes BAB2 (Bayonne)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerRetail partner hosting annual gift-wrapping stands in December, providing free wrapping materials and floor space. Generates €4,000-4,700+ per campaign in donations. Also facilitating the 'Arrondi' rounding donation collection at store checkouts.
• LILO Search EngineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSearch engine that converts advertising revenue into 'water droplets' (gouttes) donated to nonprofits. Hegalaldia reached 30,000+ droplets milestone for small mammal care equipment. Ongoing passive fundraising mechanism.
• Tookets (Lootguru)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLoyalty currency platform where partner businesses generate points (100 tookets = €1) for customers, who then redirect them to chosen associations. Hegalaldia receives converted euros with no cost to donors.
• Drôlement ChouetteminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOwl-themed jewelry and apparel e-commerce brand. Partnered for Q1 2019 (January-March) to donate 5% of sales revenue to Hegalaldia. Renewable campaign.
• Arbres & Co 64minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTree care and landscaping company (élagueur/paysagiste) based in Ustaritz. Provided free work clothing/uniforms for all staff. Conducted collaborative pruning that generated mulch for the pedagogical garden. Also received training on wildlife rescue procedures.
• Naudet (Tree Nursery)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerLarge French tree nursery that donated approximately 80 plants (trees, hedges, bushes) for the association's pedagogical garden, including native species and small groves.
• Kanaldude Web TVminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBasque Country web television channel that produced and published a documentary/reportage on the center's activities, including footage of martinet and seagull release events.
• Veterinary Clinics (Partenaires Cliniques Vétérinaires)minorOthersNetwork of veterinary clinics providing medical support, consultations, and care for wildlife brought to the center. Referenced in partner categories on the website.
• HAITZ BERDE (Tree Care Company)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerTree pruning company based in Ustaritz that collaborated on the pedagogical garden project by creating 220 meters of wood chip pathway and donated all mulch materials free of charge.
• Hautes-Pyrénées DepartmentminorOthersNeighboring department council providing financial support to the association.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• LPO (Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux): France's largest bird and biodiversity protection NGO, operating its own network of wildlife care centers. Directly comparable mission (wildlife rehabilitation + conservation advocacy), but at national scale with significantly larger resources and program breadth.
• Fondation 30 Millions d'Amis: Large French animal welfare foundation supporting companion and wild animal causes. Comparable in nonprofit/advocacy orientation and reliance on individual donations, but with much broader animal welfare scope and substantially larger resources.
• One Voice: Major French animal welfare and rights organization with broader domestic/wildlife remit. Comparable as a French nonprofit animal advocacy organization but covers farm, domestic, and wild animal issues — much broader than Hegalaldia's wildlife-only focus.

Regional players

• GOR (Groupe Ornithologique de Recherche et d'Action): Regional ornithological and wildlife protection association based in northern France with similar care, education, and conservation activities. Comparable mission but geographically distinct (Nord/Pas-de-Calais focus).
• GEPMA (Groupe d'Étude et de Protection des Mammifères d'Alsace): Regional mammal protection association in Alsace with wildlife care, education, and conservation activities. Comparable mission structure (nonprofit + care + education) but geographically focused on eastern France.

Direct peers

• UFCSN (Union Française des Centres de Soins à la Faune Sauvage): National federation of French wildlife care centers including Hegalaldia itself. Represents the broader peer set of authorized wildlife rehabilitation facilities operating under DREAL/DDPP oversight — the most direct structural peers in terms of regulatory framework, operating model, and service offering.
• Chevêche France (Athene noctua network): National network coordinating Little Owl (Athene noctua) conservation programs across France. Directly comparable to Hegalaldia's PLAAN local action plan for the same species, sharing target species, local action plan methodology, and conservation outcomes.
• SOS Faune Sauvage (national network): National coordination effort for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation across France, supporting local centers. Hegalaldia is part of this broader ecosystem; comparable in mission (wildlife triage, transport, and rehabilitation) but operating at the network coordination level.
• LPO Aquitaine / LPO Pyrénées-Atlantiques: Regional LPO affiliate operating in Hegalaldia's broader territory, running wildlife surveys, education programs, and conservation actions in Aquitaine. The closest direct geographic and functional peer despite overlapping remit.

Others

• Bioparc Zoo de Doué-la-Fontaine: Major French zoo and core vulture conservation partner providing annual €3,000 grants and receiving non-releasable vultures from Hegalaldia for breeding/reintroduction programs. Strategic partner rather than competitor — operates in adjacent conservation/breeding space.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Hegalaldia64
• Instagraminstagram.com/hegalaldia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hegalaldia