Spring has arrived at Stapeley Grange

With the recent change of weather and the arrival of early morning bird choruses it really feels like spring has arrived.  At Stapeley the admission of our first fox cub and group of ducklings of the year is the sign that our busy Spring season is definitely upon us.

Our first orphan fox cub was brought in at only a few days old, weighing in at just 159g. During the initial vet check his breathing was slightly raspy, which we shall have to monitor closely over the coming weeks.  The little fellow is now being syringe fed puppy milk formula six times a day which he eagerly takes, which is very encouraging. Once the cub has taken enough we then have to take a few minutes to stimulate him so that he passing urine and faeces; this is simply achieved with a damp piece of cotton wool.  Without stimulation he would not be able to go to otherwise which would be a major problem!

                            

He then gets to go snuggle up to a soft toy and naps in his incubator until the next feed which is usually only a few hours away, which keeps us busy.  During the next few months we expect to see many more fox cub admitted, some of which will be grouped together so they can be released later in the wild.

The group of 8 ducklings were brought in by a member of the public as sadly the mother had been killed in a road accident. At least someone was able to get them to us.  I had forgotten since last year how surprisingly loud ducklings chirp and how messy they are, however the cuteness remains too!

A common misconception is ducklings need water to swim in when in fact they need to be kept warm with water for drinking and some food.  These 8 orphans are now in a pen with a heat lamp, cuddly toy, dish of duckling crumbs and a special water dispenser.

       

It is incredibly hard work over the spring and summer months however the joy of seeing the orphans grow and seeing them returned to the wild makes it all worthwhile.

Before picking up what you think is an orphaned animal, please think twice.  Often mum or dad is around the corner waiting for you to leave.  If, after monitoring the situation for some time, you are concerned about the welfare of any young animal please call your local rehabilitator or the RSPCA National Call Centre - 0300 123 0722.  For more advice - http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/wildlife/orphanedanimals

By Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

 'Support RSPCA Stapeley Grange now by giving just £3, simply text RSPCA2 to 70007‘ 
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Seabirds at Stapeley

Presently at the hospital we have 3 razorbills and a cormorant. They are not the most common of our wildlife patients, so it is always quite special to see these birds up close. All the seabirds which are admitted to Stapeley receive a supplemented fish diet. Aquavits provide extra nutrition, which the birds would naturally procure from fresh live fish caught in the wild. Our fish is always fresh, but dead and defrosted, which means essential vitamins are not lost in this process. Doses of an anti-fungal medicine are also administered, and used as a preventative measurement from respiratory infection. In captivity, seabirds are prone to develop respiratory problems as they are only used to open fresh sea air, and not our stuffy, bacteria laden land!

The cormorant came to us after being rescued from an entanglement and was a little thin and weak. Differing from other water birds, cormorants do not have waterproof feathers and are usually recognisable by their ‘drying off’ stance; perched with wings stretched out and neck upright.

Our cormorant has been moved from an indoor enclosure now to an outdoor pen which has a shallow pool. He is looking in fine fettle, being fed plenty of sprats and should be ready for release quite soon.                             

One of our three razorbills is now outside on the deep pool, after receiving a good wash to help restore its natural waterproofing. Another of our razorbills was found blown off course and in a town high street!

Razorbills possess a stature that enables them to live a life predominantly swimming on open waters; short legs, situated at the back end of their body (as opposed to the middle body area e.g. ducks) and a longer breast area, not dissimilar to that of a puffin.

  

Handling them requires dexterity and a swift reflex...razorbill by name, razorbill by nature, ouch!

By Lynsey Cale

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

 'Support RSPCA Stapeley Grange now by giving just £3, simply text RSPCA2 to 70007‘ 
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Saying goodbye to the 'Stapeley Six' storm seal pups

They say a good breakfast is needed to set you up for the day.  I have to some extent followed this well used saying today by waking up to Kellogs, Nutrigrain, Porridge, Ready Brek, Start and Boulder.  However it was no normal breakfast time but a fantastic opportunity for me to help with the first stage of the transfer of the 'Stapeley Six' (that were named after cereals by the staff at RSPCA East Winch!) back to Norfolk where they will begin their final stages of rehabilitation, before their release.

   

I joined RSPCA Driver Dan Ward on the first leg of the move which involved our moving a seal that had been rescued from Liverpool Docks to 'Welsh Mountain Zoo' and to bring back to Stapeley, three of the 'Stapeley Six' who had been there for the past six weeks.  Our Liverpool seal will spend some time at the Zoo, before being returned to the wild.

   

The three 'Stapeley Six' seals were looking great after their time at the zoo, fantastic body condition.  It was now their turn to be loaded up for the short journey back to Stapeley.  Thanks to the help of the zoo's friendly staff the exchange went very smoothly and we returned to Stapeley with our bargain of three seals for the price of one!

   

Two days later and their final move back to Norfolk from where they will be finally released. It was a mammoth task carefully herding each seal into a Vari Kennel and then lifting them onto the RSPCA van, especially with their extra weight and it being another early start!

Fortunately the seals were fairly compliant and we had them boxed up and ready for transfer within an hour; Dan was on the road once again.  Seeing their progress through the various stages of rehabilitation and grow has been fantastic, then being part of their final transfers has really made it a special moment for me.  As they say 'all good things must come to an end' but I will certainly not miss the awful smell of herring!

Its been a massive team effort at Stapeley to help through these six seal pups and we have been helped massively by  the staff at 'Welsh Mountain Zoo' who looked after three of the 'Stapeley Six'.  The hard work is now over to the seals but we have at least given them a chance of a life back in the wild, where nature intended.

By Michelle Bite

 'Help RSPCA Stapeley Grange now by giving just £3, simply text RSPCA2 to 70007‘ Texts cost £3 + standard network rate

Supporters of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery