Despite a lack of current funding volunteer rescuers from East Sussex Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service (WRAS) are still trying their best to help wildlife in need. Last night (Monday 11th August 08) founder Trevor Weeks, rescuer Greg Holliday and WRAS fundraiser Julie Hosier, helped save a very poorly baby deer.
The baby fallow deer thought to be less than 5 days old was originally found on the A283 near Storrington in West Sussex early afternoon by a member of the public. They found the deer running around a road and came very close to being run over. The deer was picked up and transported to a veterinary centre which checked the deer over and then handed the deer back to the member of the public who took the deer home to Newhaven in East Sussex.
Struggling to find anyone to help the poor baby deer East Sussex WRAS were contacted. WRAS fundraiser Julie Hosier picked up the Deer with rescuer Greg Holliday who drove the deer up to Uckfield to meet WRAS founder Trevor Weeks.
"When I met Julie I thought the deer was going to be large dog size but it was much smaller and very young" said Greg, "I sat in the back of Julie's car and helped keep the baby warm. "
Trevor examined the deer in the Tesco’s car park at Uckfield and purchased a baby bottle to try and give the deer some vital fluids. Staff at Uckfield's Tescos kindly provided some warm water to mix with a special sugar and salts mixture. "I was very surprised at the size of the deer, at this time of year I would expect them to be larger, this is certainly the smallest baby deer we have been asked to deal with. I was very concerned about the health of this deer, so I spoke to veterinary staff at St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire where they have a special deer hospital. We agreed with them that the baby deer needed to be rushed up to their centre for specialist help as she was so small and underweight. "
Trevor and Greg rushed the deer in one of WRAS's veterinary ambulances up to the deer unit in Buckinghamshire. "We had the call about 8.15pm Julie and Greg delivered it to me at Uckfield about 9pm. We drove up the M23, M25 and M40 and eventually arrived at the deer unit at about 11.15pm. The veterinary staff at St Tiggywinkles were very good and she was placed on a drip and given vital vitamins and minerals and injections. After the was settled down and a cup of coffee Greg and Trevor eventually returned home about 3.30am early this morning (Tuesday12th Aug 08) " said Trevor.
The cost of this rescue mission has been paid entirely out of the pockets of the WRAS volunteers involved due to the current low funding WRAS is experiencing as a result of dealing with over a years worth of work in just 7 months this year. "I might not be able to eat for a few days but at least the deer is safe and in good hands" laughed Trevor, "I hate not being able to respond to every call for help at the moment but we are trying to do what we can. "
Anyone wanting to help support WRAS and its valuable community service can send a donation to the treasurer Peter Mortimer, East Sussex WRAS, Ash Cottage, 73 Friday Street, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN23 8AY, or donate online.
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Press Contact: Trevor Weeks, East Sussex WRAS, 07931 523958 (private)
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