WATCH: Pigeon rescue in Ringmer.

This morning, WRAS received its first emergency call at 5:45 am regarding a badger in Southwick. Many local and smaller rescues are already exhausted and struggle with overnight rescues, to help out WRAS responded. The badger, suspected to be a road casualty, was picked up with hopefully minor injuries, pending further assessments tomorrow.

Meanwhile, while rescuer Keith Ring was busy in Burgess Hill, another call about a deer in Maresfield came in. Rescuers Trevor Weeks, Abbie Marsden, Daryl Farmer, and Brian Downing successfully released the deer on-site.

Duty Rescuers Keith and Abbie also handled rescues in Eastbourne, Hampden Park, Westham, and Seaford.

Trevor also responded to a grounded Barn Owl in Middleham Close, Ringmer, and a injured wood pigeon in Vicarage Way, Ringmer, as shown in the video posted.

Currently, WRAS is caring for 300-400 casualties. Although the number of daily call-outs is decreasing at this time of year, the size and space required for the casualties are increasing.

We assist all creatures, big and small, whether it’s a wood pigeon or a peregrine falcon. With over 4,100 casualties handled this year already, we anticipate a record-breaking number exceeding 6,000 by the end of 2024, which poses a significant workload for our dedicated staff and volunteers.

If you reach our answerphone, don’t worry, we are just busy with rescues or on another call. Leave a message, and we’ll get back to you if needed. Some common reasons for not hearing back from us include unclear contact numbers, poor reception, non-Sussex calls, non-wildlife-related inquiries, or calls not being answer and no answerphone when we return calls.

OUT OF HOURS (9pm – 8am): Please note that our out-of-hours service is limited to species that the public cannot safely transport to a veterinary centre themselves, such as foxes, badgers, gannets, swans, and buzzards. For other species like gulls, garden birds, hedgehogs, and rabbits needing urgent care, contact your nearest emergency veterinary centre. For non-urgent cases, keep the casualty safe overnight and contact us after 8am.

Calling us out of hours may disturb staff who have been working all day and have work the next day as well. Our staff are not paid to cover out-of-hours emergency response.