- Wildlife Friendly Village_Risby
Helping Injured Animals - October 2022
This year several of the Wildlife Group have found injured animals and we would like to share the advice we have with you.
Animals we’ve found in Risby:
Duck - the advice from the national RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) is if you find an injured animal (including a duck), call 0300 1234 999 option 1 and they can pass the information over to an Inspector or Animal Rescue Officer and they should be able to come and collect it from you. There has been a duck with a twisted leg on the village ponds, which one resident has tried to help. She contacted the RSPCA and an officer came out to see if they could help.
House Martin - after finding a House Martin on the road, unable to fly and appearing potentially injured: RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) advice for any injured bird found is to put it in a cardboard box, don't feed it, take it to a vet. A family of residents did this, got the ‘health all clear’ and then took the bird to The Wildlife Lounge. https://m.facebook.com/109049334658516/ a charity run by a great person called Claire. She has various wildlife there and will video the release once the bird is ready. She said it was young and tried to fledge too early before it could fly.
Hedgehog – after finding a small hedgehog staggering around the garden in the daytime and looking bewildered, residents used gardening gloves to handle the hedgehog, and then put it in a cardboard box with hay (alternatively they could have used an old towel or fleece). They called the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) on 01584 890 801 for advice. They also contacted the fantastic, Sue’s Hedgehog Hospital in Ousden and fortunately they had a space to rehabilitate the hedgehog. He has now been returned to Risby and released.
Animals on the coast:
If visiting the coast and you see an injured marine animal (very unlikely to see one in Risby!) there is a rescue organisation called BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue) who you can contact via their hotline: 01825 765546. Recently one of our residents was on a beach trip and saw this organisation advertising their work. There are often seals around the East Anglian coast and it is always wise to keep your distance from them as our presence can stress these wild animals, however if you think they are in trouble you can contact the BDMLR.
References:
The Wildlife Lounge. https://m.facebook.com/109049334658516/
https://www.hedgehogstreet.org/sick-or-injured-hedgehog/
Wildlife Working Group News
We are planning a year long campaign for Hedgehogs in the village, if you would like to join in please contact us, we’d love to hear from you!
E: wildlifefriendlyvillage@gmail.com W: wildlifefriendlyvillage.co.uk
