Special VIP treatment for hedgehog – And Breathe…...

One of our adult hedgehogs has been suffering with a bad chest, a bit wheezy and crackly! He had been on medication for a week but this had not appeared to have remedied the problem. An x-ray was inconclusive as to what may be causing the respiratory problem so it was time for the tank!

The tank is in fact a nebuliser but we are hoping that a daily visit into the mini tank may help to ease his chest. For twenty minutes a day, the hog is popped into a perspex box which links up to a tube, which attaches to the nebuliser machine. This machine, along with a dose of medicated water, creates a steamy vapour which then travels down the tube and into the container, which is then inhaled by the hedgehog.

There isn't much room in the box, but this ensures the hedgehog is secure and gains maximum benefit from the surrounding vapour. We hope this assists in clearing his chest, although he still has a few more visits to go yet.  I will report back in a week or so as to whether this has worked out or not.

By Lynsey Cale

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

 To donate to Stapeley text and our orphans: STAP70 £2 or £5 to 70070

Who has been eating my food?

Shortly after my last blog on the progress of the orphaned hoglet it was decided that he could be signed off ready for release. As he was admitted at just over a week old the hedgehog now just needed a suitable location with a short period of support feeding.

I thought it would be wonderful to carry out the release in my own garden so I may still be able to occasionally see him. So, that day after work the hedgehog came home with me and I left him in an open skipper with a bit of food to start exploring his new environment when he was ready. Watching from a distance I saw him tuck into the food before wondering off into the big wide world.

However the story does not end there!   Keen to see the hedgehog again I set up a special sensor camera that is triggered by movement. I was hoping to capture him on film eating the support food I was putting out for him in the evenings. As usual the food disappeared, so I was very excited about checking the footage, however, I was a little surprised to see that it was not a hedgehog that was scoffing the food but a very intelligent and healthy looking magpie!  This magpie was obviously not going to pass up on the opportunity of an easy meal !!

  

I will continue to keep an eye out for the hedgehog in my garden but I am guessing he has probably now moved on.  I just hope he has taken well to his new life back in the wild. 

By Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

 To donate to Stapeley text and our orphans: STAP70 £2 or £5 to 70070

Something’s ‘Afoot’ with one of our Swans!!

The element of surprise is constant during the summer time at Stapeley! Amidst all the everyday feeding and cleaning, you actually never know what will come through the door at any given time, or what it is you might witness next...

I witnessed a small operation last week, carried out by our vet, Bev. A lame swan had been brought in to us, having been observed limping quite badly. On further examination, it was apparent there was a hard lump under the skin of the swans’ leathery foot.

On removing the lump, it was clear to see why it had caused such a problem for the swan to walk comfortably. A large marble sized ball of hardened pus was the offending mass, caused by an initial infection. 

On successful removal, the swan was made comfortable in our isolation unit. Once the wound has healed, the swan will be put onto the outside pool area and will then get to enjoy meandering around the grounds in new-foot-heaven!!

By Lynsey Cale

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

 To donate to Stapeley text and our orphans: STAP70 £2 or £5 to 70070

Hoping for a Swift release

Amongst the orphan birds brought into Stapeley, Swifts are one of the more challenging to raise. Whilst admitting one I could not help but look at it in awe.  They spend most of their life in the air carrying out all of the usual activities of feeding, mating and even sleeping - pretty amazing!

Always on the go Swifts only land to nest and raise their offspring.

Unlike other birds Swifts can only feed while flying because their soft beaks are unable to pick up live food. It is therefore necessary to regularly force feed their diet of wax worm larvae, crickets and flies which is very time consuming to prepare, especially with the substantial amount they seem to get through!

They have extremely delicate, extra long and extra thin wings which have to be in tip top condition in order to support their lifestyle in the sky.  So while looking after the orphans, exceptional care is taken to prevent any feather damage which could delay their release.

     

To add to the pressure they must be ready and released before the end of the summer so they can migrate to South Africa along with other Swifts. Hopefully it will not be long before the orphaned Swifts at Stapeley can be taken to a field where they will have the space to gain the height to start their life in the sky.

By Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

 To donate to Stapeley text and our orphans: STAP70 £2 or £5 to 70070