Volunteers at East Sussex’s Wildlife Rescue & Ambulance Service are getting all broody as baby birds and mammals start arriving in time for Easter!
In the run up to Easter, the charity’s volunteers have had a young mouse, a fox cub, and 6 baby doves admitted. WRAS’s orphaned dove specialist Kathy Martyn from Uckfield, has been looking after the six doves at home to monitor them round the clock. The doves which have come from Lewes, Hailsham, Eastbourne, East Hoathly and Selmeston, have come in for a variety of reason like being caught by cats but all generally as a result of being calcium deficient, young and unable to fly making them vulnerable to predators.
“Its so nice to have them in again, I’ve really missed them, and they really make you smile at this age” said Kathy, “once they realise you are their new mum they start to wing waggle and squeak for food. When they get a bit older they will like most teenager start to rebel and they will be grouped together to ensure they become wild.”
On Friday night a fox cub was rescued at Kingsmere Eastbourne after being found abandoned, hypothermic, and underweight in the middle of a lawn. WRAS founder Trevor Weeks MBE took the cub in for the night which was then fed every three hours through the night with a special puppy milk replacer and rehydration fluids.
WRAS’s Orphan Team Leader Lindsay Redfern has also been looking after a young mouse with help of Assistant Manager Kirsti Sibbald too.
“The babies are very cute, but a lot of hard work, and cause you to lose a lot of sleep. Although we love having our babies in care, it is important that people don’t touch baby wildlife unnecessarily. We would urge people who are concerned about any baby or young wildlife not to touch them unless in immediate danger – like in the middle of road - and to call a rescue organisation for advice.” Said Orphan Team Leader Lindsay Redfern.
It’s not unusual for mothers to leave their young hidden behind bushes or in long grass, as well as to not sleep with her young especially as they grow and take up more space. Some birds like young Tawny Owls will climb up and down the trunks of their trees, so if found at the base of a tree should be left alone. WRAS is urging people to call for advice first before touch wildlife as they may not be orphaned.
WRAS is a charity and relies on donations to help buy food, medication, bedding and equipment to deal with hundreds of orphaned, sick or injured young wildlife every year, if you can help please send a donation to East Sussex WRAS, PO Box 2148, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 9DE or phone 01825-873003 to make a donation using a credit or debit card or alternative online at www.wildlifeambulance.org
-END-
Press Contacts:
Trevor Weeks MBE – 01825-873003 or 07931-523958
Photos taken by East Sussex WRAS.
Share this!
