Getting the Royal Seal of Approval!

Seal training at East Winch is all part of the training programme for new staff, as although they appear cute in the pictures they are actually quiet dangerous and can do serious damage.  We started with a tour, we met some of the seals; Kate Middleton, Prince Harry and a familiar face from Stapeley, and now a lot bigger, Prince William (can you tell what the theme is at the moment!).

 

We spent a lot of time observing to start with but soon enough, it was then our turn!  We started with the smallest, you would think that would be easy but nooo... they are still very strong and wriggly.  In some cases the larger seals were easier to restrain, I think being trained in contortion would have been an advantage!

 

Another part of our training was using a stretcher to catch and weigh seals to monitor their progress.   We finished the day with some more tube feeding, as they say ‘practice makes perfect’

Our time with the East Winch seals had come to an end.  Although we left with aching arms and legs, it has been great, a very informative experience.   Although we do not get too many seals at Stapeley, all staff need to know how to handle seals properly.  We still have lots to learn but this experience has been a fantastic introduction.

Supporters of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre

Festive thank you to our volunteers

The Volunteers Christmas party was a fantastic opportunity to say thank you to all those who have generously given their free time and efforts over the year.  They play an essential role on a day to day basis; whether it is working with the animals, fundraising, helping in the office or outside with our maintenance guy, we could not do, what we do, without them!  With centres becoming busier and finances increasingly stretched we need their help more than ever.  

After feasting on a delicious buffet, our Manager (Lee Stewart), thanked those present and those not for all their hard work over the past 12 months and presented awards to a number of long term volunteers.  Some have helped for 5, 10 and even 15 years...now that is dedication.  They have put in so many hours of hard work they really deserve the certificate and medal. 

                           

I then took on the role of quiz master to put our volunteers and staff to the test.  It was a really fun night, seeing staff and volunteers outside the normal working environment.

I can’t thank the volunteers and students enough; I really enjoy working alongside them and getting to know them all.  If you wish to join are extraordinary team of volunteers please contact us: volunteer-stapeley@rspca.org.uk.  I look forward to seeing familiar and new faces next year.  

Supporters of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre

Breaking a nail is a serious issue....for a Tawny Owl

I have always said that breaking a nail is a big deal however for a Tawny Owl it has far greater consequences.  A Tawny Owl had incurred relatively minor injuries from being clipped by a car but it arrived at Stapeley a little bit shocked, feathers a little ruffled, a few scraps and a talon missing from a toe on its left foot, a lucky escape by all accounts!

  

      

An x-ray was taken immediately to check for additional internal damage but nothing was found..fantastic news.  Minor wounds were then cleaned and the foot bandaged; he was then allowed to rest in a quiet box which we have available for owls in our isolation wing.  The following day, having had time to rest, the vet checked out his eyes carefully (which can be damaged in RTAs - road traffic accidents) but once passed fit (again - good news) he was flight tested.

Although he flew exceptionally well it was agreed he should be kept inside a little longer so that the talon could heal properly.  A few days later and he has now been transferred out to an aviary where he can prepare for a final release.  The talons obviously play an important role when hunting, so it is important that they are functional.  Imagine trying to dig into a steak with a butter knife!

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre

Festive Fun at Stapeley is a huge success

There is no way of hiding from it anymore Christmas is nearly here!  Staff, volunteers and even Santa all got together for Stapeley's first Christmas fair.

                                  

 

Although there was a bit of a chill in the air it was hardly noticeable with all the excitement, we were really lucky with the weather.  It was a great turnout with many visitors coming in search for that perfect gift, trying their luck on raffles, telling Santa what they would like as well as being spoilt rotten for choices with cakes.

It was a fantastic success raising nearly £1500 which will provide much needed funds for us to continue our work and towards ongoing development.  

For more pics of the day (plus Santa) check out: http://on.fb.me/X3Bj64 

They may not be able to show their appreciation but I'm sure all the animals it will benefit will be very grateful.  

                                          Thank you everyone and happy Christmas

Supporters of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre

A surprise visitor for Stapeley

It was a dark and cold night when a member of public turned up with an unknown animal the dog had sniffed out.  Cautiously peering into the box I saw two beady eyes looking back at me, to my surprise it was a Chinchilla!  

Stapeley Grange does not take in domestics usually but it appeared that he had been abandoned.  He therefore needed temporary refuge until he could be moved on to one of our domestic centres.  I took down as much information as possible in case an owner came forward to claim him and then gave him a quick inspection.  There appeared to be a problem with his teeth so he was put down for an urgent vet inspection the next  day.  

Once we had found and set up a suitable cage that had shelves, tunnels and places to hide I put in some food and water, it was ready.   He appeared to instantly love his new pad and investigated around.  We also provided a dust bath which is important to keep his fur in good condition. 

Unfortunately, this story did not have a happy ending.  During the vet inspection it was discovered that he had some major dental issues, so bad in fact that he was put to sleep.

Owners of exotic pets need the knowledge to provide for their specific welfare needs.  Chinchillas don’t like excessive heat (as they can’t sweat and overheat easily), need lots of exercise and their teeth need to be worn down as excessive growth can prevent them from eating.  Why was this Chinchilla abandoned? Maybe its owner could not afford the massive vet fees that were involved in sorting out its teeth, I suppose I’ll never know, a very sad ending indeed. 

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Grey Seal Arrival - cute but watch those fingers

Although very sad, I was excited to admit a 3 week old male Grey seal pup last week; he had been found orphaned on a beach at Maryport in Cumbria. To ensure the parents were not around he had been monitored for more than 24 hours; his parents were nowhere to be seen so required help.

                                                   

On arrival, I took down all the necessary details with Max, including weight and transferred him across to one of our isolation cubicles where he could begin to settle after his traumatic ordeal.  Despite weighing in at 13kg he was still underweight for his age.  Next was a health check from the vet which involved checking for wounds and any nasal discharge.  Blood samples were taken and sent off for analysis.  His eyes appeared dry and so eye drops were given to restore their moisture and protection.  As with most wildlife that comes into Stapeley, he was dehydrated.  Lectade solution was tube fed initially - it was important we rehydrated him as quickly as possible.

He now gets blended herring added to the solution to make an appetising fish soup - I think I'll pass on that one!  His temperature is recorded daily at the moment - an important indicator to his well-being. 

As of yesterday he was bright and alert, but I am constantly being reminded by senior staff that behind those cute little eyes and apparent sweet nature lies an extremely nasty bite. All of this has been a wee taster for what is to come when I have my seal training in December across at RSPCA East Winch, I can’t wait :)

Supporters of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre

A Mucky Lesson

From being a teacher it was time to go back to being a student for an Oiled Bird Course last week that was run by the Society.  With pen and notepad ready I was keen to learn more
about the rescue and treatment of unfortunate birds that become contaminated.

We started off with the components of oil which make it so devastating to the environment and wildlife, it is really nasty stuff.  Next was the theory of practically collecting the oiled birds and how important good planning and communication is for a successful operation successful.  It was interesting to hear about the plans the RSPCA have in place in case of an oil spill.  Rescue has many difficulties and is rarely simple, from birds being in hard to reach places to them trying to get away from you (do they not realise you are trying to help them!). 

We were made aware of the importance of health and safety so that we ourselves did not become a casualty; dangers ranged from falling rocks to being trapped by the tide, scary stuff.

 
Then onto crucial first aid treatments, such as fluid therapy to rehydrate the birds and providing care when they come into the hospital.  It is extremely important that any bird’s feathers are completely free of the oil - so we covered how to thoroughly wash them so they retain their waterproofing.  The course finished on rehabilitation methods for the birds once they have fully recovered and their final release. 

I enjoyed being a student again and now feel better prepared to deal with any cases that arrive at Stapeley.  

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Education Opening - VIP Tours

Leading tours at the official opening last month gave me the opportunity to show off our fantastic educational facility.   It is thanks to funding from CJ Wildlife and Wild Aid and much hard work from staff and volunteers that the new facility was made possible.  I had time out from the feeding and cleaning to help out on our big day and to welcome guests as they arrived…even Gavin Grant (our CEO) made it up from Horsham which was appreciated by staff.

Our tour behind the scenes started in the woodland classroom where we have new CCTV installed, which links into the hospital.  We then moved out to the garden and I pointed out our new funky information boards and our newly revamped pond.  I then spent time talking to visitors about the orphan care room where we look after 100’s of orphaned animals each year.  We got to test out the intercom system which linked visitors to staff inside the hospital which was very cool and then moved on past the oiled bird washroom where staff usually get soaked as much as the birds they are washing.

                        

Next we quietly peered through wooden slats at the pool viewing areas - they had no idea they were being spied on!  And then into the forested area to see how groups will be surrounded by the environment they will learn about.

I wish this had been one of my school trips!  Its proof education can be fun and I was the teacher!

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Duck in Distress

The Stapeley team are constantly monitoring our patients for any problems, regardless of the stage of rehabilitation.  Whilst working outside I was notified that one of our Mallard ducks was limping.

It was not long before I could pick out the lame individual. Armed with a net and an assistant, ‘Operation Catch the Duck’ was up and running; it began by the two of us slowly herding them into a corner whilst, minimising stress but trying to remain focused on the specific duck.   At the precise moment I swiftly brought the net down over the duck and caught it, it sounds much easier than it actually was but job done! 

Inside the hospital the leg was properly examined, it was easy to see that the right one was swollen at the joint.  The vet then put on the floor so that she could see how lame it was.  It was decided to anaesthetise the duck so x-rays could be taken.  It showed changes to the tibiotarsus leg bone – the problem was, as thought, at the joint. 

The duck was taken into isolation and put on a course of pain killing medication.  With some rest and pampering hopefully it will be back outside soon….will keep you posted.

Supporters of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Hospital

My dream job - Michelle Bite

My name is Michelle and I joined the Stapeley team as as Wildlife Assistant four months ago...I am totally in my dream job!! 

I always knew I wanted to work with animals and as soon as I was old enough I was volunteering at my local veterinary surgery and zoo.....to gain as much experience as possible and ultimately to identify my preferences. 

This led me to an Animal Science degree during which I worked with wildlife in South Africa as a volunteer.  It as during this time that my mind was made up....I had decided to devote my life to working with animals, my goal was ultimately to work with wildlife. 

My first animal job was at Battersea dogs and Cats Home, during which I volunteered on several wildlife conservation projects worldwide. To progress I took the opportunity to work as a Seasonal Wildlife Assistant at Stapeley which enabled me to gain essential knowledge and experience to prepare me for a permanent position role.  All my hard work and  determination had finally paid off when I was offered a permanent job, I had finally made it!

                                    

I am so looking forward to taking up this blog over the coming months and years; with more excitement going on than any TV soap or X Factor programme I could not possibly keep it all to myself !!

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre

Goodbye for Now!

The arrival of autumn sees the end of my fun filled, exciting, interesting, busy and educational summer! The changing of the seasons sees the change of pace here at Stapeley. A calmer atmosphere reigns and the arrival of patients lessens.

There are, and will be, still many animals throughout winter which arrive at the hospital for much needed care and attention. Yet in comparison to the spring/summer period, things are noticeably quieter.

I am sad that my placement has come to an end, as personally, I can think of no other job which offers such a broad spectrum of activity and a sense of achievement when animals are successfully rehabilitated and released..our latest releases include 4 fox groups.

                       

 

I shall continue to volunteer, although as my placement ends, so too does my blog. I have loved the opportunity of sharing my experiences with you and hope that you have enjoyed a glimpse into the daily goings on at Stapeley.

Thank-you CJ Wildlife for such a fantastic opportunity, and thank-you Stapeley for such a memorable time!

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange's Summer Wildlife Assistant Position

Frogs Legs

Whilst it is primarily mammals and birds that we care for at Stapeley, we do get the occasional amphibian. Last week we had a garden frog. It had been attacked by a cat and had a wound on its froggy leg.

Frogs are jumpy, and for that reason alone they make me a little jumpy! I certainly wasn’t as keen as I usually am to tend to this patient. We created a moist environment for it by placing a clod of grassy earth into a container, and I fetched fresh water daily from our pond to make it feel more at home.

The frog was put on a course of liquid antibiotics, which was fed orally through a syringe and tube. Despite the small size of the frog, this was a two man job! One to hold the little beastie, and one to administer the drugs.

The frog was later released.  I was pleased it had survived and even more pleased to get back to the mammals! (sorry amphibs, but I prefer to admire you from afar!).

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange's Wildlife Assistant

Hercules the hedgehog!!

I have reported a few times about hedgehogs within my blogs. Whilst I try to vary what I write about, today it comes back to another hedgehog, purely because I am both astonished and proud of this little critter!

This little beast arrived at Stapeley in a terrible state. We were not sure whether it would be kinder to put it to sleep immediately or to clean it up and give it 24 hours. We chose the latter option (thankfully), but I was sure it would not make it through the night.  Suffering with many puncture wounds (some particularly deep), its little body was crawling with maggots. Myself and the vet nurse spent a good half hour removing these nasty maggots, some having buried quite deep already into the wounds.

We administered fluids (it was dehydrated), antibiotics (for the wounds), F10 spray (to kill any remaining fly eggs) and syringe fed nutritional shake (it was starving)...

 Over the last three weeks, this initial casualty has gone from strength to strength, and it is a joy to have seen such a remarkable recovery! Wounds have healed, weight has been gained and not a maggot in sight...a Herculean effort from such a little hog! I am proud to have been part of its recovery and am so glad we gave it a chance. I took a sneaky picture of it just as it was waking up and beginning to uncurl...

Sponsor of Stapeley Grange's Summer Wildlife Assistant Position

Blondie!

What a rare and special sight I came into contact with during a late shift at Stapeley... An albino hedgehog!

It arrived via one of our RSPCA Inspectors, along with a few wood pigeons, a Canada goose, a herring gull and a blackbird. However, this little critter was by far the most intriguing out of the lot! (No offense pigeons, goose, gull & blackbird...)

Genetically, it is our ‘phenotype’ which determines the expression of inherited characteristics that we can see e.g. eye, hair, skin colour. Albinism is caused by a recessive pigmentation gene and results in that which we are familiar with, blonde or white colouring with pink eyes.

I couldn’t wait to grab my camera and share these pictures with you. It was tightly curled and needed a little persuasion to show its face, so the pictures are a little obscure!

Amazing to see such quirks of nature present in the animal kingdom as well as our own...

 

Sponsors of Stapeley's Summer Wildlife Assistant Position

 

BTO Ringing

This week I have been assisting Deb, our qualified and experienced BTO Ringer, with the task of ringing some of the gulls here at Stapeley. The purpose of BTO (British Trust for Ornithology) ringing is to enable identification of birds in the future.

Anyone who comes across a BTO ringed bird can report it. Gathering information of BTO birds assists in the study of populations, survival, breeding and migration. Gaining such knowledge helps us to understand patterns of behaviour and reasons for declining numbers.

But before all of that, comes the ‘ringing’! On capturing an individual gull, they are weighed and given a feather inspection to make sure they are suitable and ready for release.

Deb, using specialised ringing tools (or so she said... They looked like a pair of pliers to me, the novice!), carefully places a ring around a gulls leg and uses her ‘pliers’ to close the ring.

This requires careful judgement so as not to be too loose or too tight. I recorded the ring numbers, written next to their weight. We did this for about eight gulls, and very soon they will be released.

Who knows what their journeys will hold? Who knows if we will see them again?!

                                                             

Sponsors of Stapeley's Summer Wildlife Assistant Position