Bird used as ball by teenagers in Newhaven

A bird used as a ball by a group of teenagers in Newhaven is recovering at our wildlife rescue centre in Sussex on Wednesday 20th June 2012.

A local Newhaven resident contacted East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) after taking a fledgling dunnock away from a group of teenagers, on Gibbon Road, using the bird as a ball and throwing it around to each other. The frightened bird was taken to WRAS carer Carrie Grace who nursed the bird overnight before admitting it to WRAS's Casualty Care Centre at Whitesmith, where the bird is now being cared for.

Carrie, 19 from Newhaven, told me "I was contacted by a lady yesterday evening, who was rather distressed having found this fledgling being used as a ball, apparently teenagers were throwing it around causing the poor bird a lot of distress."

The bird is now in care at East Sussex WRAS's Casualty Care Centre at Whitesmith where Assistant Manager Kate Cuddis is now looking after the bird and rearing it along with numerous other injured fledgling and baby birds. "We are very busy dealing with the fledglings and young birds we already have in care. We have taken in more fledgling and baby birds this year than any previous year due to the news facilities at our Casualty Care Centre which has expanded over the past 18 months, they are keeping us very busy and very tired. Along with Trevor I am working up to 90 hours a week" said Kate.

This act is despicable, and I would urge anyone who witnessed this event to report the person involved to Sussex Police. When birds leave the nest they all spent time hopping around building up the muscle strength before being able to fly, during this time they are vulnerable and but should be left alone unless in the middle of a road for example."

WRAS's Casualty Centre is running between 90-100% capacity at the moment and WRAS volunteers are working long hours trying to keep up with the workload. We really need the public's help if we are going to continue taking in this volume of casualties. With rising costs of veterinary and medical supplies plus the high costs of fuel, utility bills, food and more we need more support. Taking out a standing order to give just £1 or £2 a month will made a huge difference to WRAS and help us budget for the future and make us more financially secure, therefore in the long term we will be able to take in more casualties, WRAS is not that big nor a rich organisation but it achieves big things and good result providing a high level of care to wildlife casualties. These creatures do not have pet insurance to pay for their care nor owner to look after them but they do have WRAS.

Anyone wanting to make a donation to WRAS should call 01825 873003, donate online or post a donation to East Sussex WRAS, PO Box 2148, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 9DE.

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Press Contacts: Trevor Weeks - East Sussex WRAS: 01825 873003
Carrie Grace - East Sussex WRAS: 07545 837228

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