Charity warns of dangerous fat ball feeders

A Sussex animal rescue charity is urging the public to dispose of potentially dangerous fat ball feeders before they cause harm to wildlife.

This year East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service (WRAS) has rescued 3 starlings caught up in fat ball feeders, and is aware of other organisations having dealt with similar situations elsewhere in the UK.

"We are urging people to check their fat ball feeders if they don't have a lid and therefore it is possible for a birds to get trapped inside please dispose of it and buy a new one. All the birds we have had to rescue have been found inside fat ball feeders with missing lids, so the birds can get inside whilst trying to reach the remains of a fat ball" said the charities founder Trevor Weeks MBE.

Trevor and rescuer Kate Cuddis attended on site to a rescue on 15th August 2012 of a starling trapped inside a fat ball feeder at Hampden Park, near Eastbourne. The bird had to be cut free and taken back to WRAS's Casualty Care Centre at Whitesmith, near Hailsham, and is now being treated for pressure wounds to its back and wings.

"We hope the bird will be ok, but these situations are very stressful for these birds, we hope his wounds do not get worse and fingers crossed he will make a full recovery" said Kate, Assistant Manager of WRAS's Casualty Care Centre.

East Sussex WRAS is a voluntary organisation which relies on donation to fund its rescue and hospital work for wildlife. To make a donation ring 01825873003 or post a donation to East Sussex WRAS, PO Box 2148, Seaford, East Sussex, BN25 9DE or donate online.

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Press Contact: Trevor Weeks - East Sussex WRAS: 01825 873003 or 07931 523958

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