Four little hoglets

After an exceptionally busy Summer, the wildlife hospital is beginning to quieten down which will give the staff a bit of a breather before next year.  However we still lots of patients in the hospital to keep the team busy.

Four prickly but very cute orphaned hoglets were brought into Stapeley by an RSPCA Inspector.

Estimated to be about two weeks old with eyes still closed.  They would not have been able to survive on their own so the team will care for them until they are sufficiently large enough for release back into the wild.

 

Initially they were syringe fed a puppy milk formula six times a day but now 10 days after admission they have thankfully started to lap keenly at bowls of kitten meat and the formula - in some cases even getting into the bowls!

The very observant of you may notice from the photos a white dot on their spines, in different location on each hoglet.  We use this method to individually identify them so that we can monitor how each individual is progressing.  Their average weight is currently around 100g so the four hoglets still have a long way to go until they reach the minimum target release weight of 500g.

                         

 

The hoglets have a few more important steps in the rehabilitation process to prepare them for a return to the wild but they are on their way.  The next stage will be to wean them off of the milk formula but they have to triple their weight first.  They will then be upgraded to an indoor pen to give them a larger space to roam around in and then finally to outdoor pens before being returned home.

I will follow the hoglets development at Stapeley until they are released as impressive young adult hedgehogs.

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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Eek! A week to go!

With a mixture of excitement and nerves, the day we shall take on the Three Peaks Challenge draws ever closer.  Envisaging the peaks of Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon I think what have I let myself in for?! Climbing several of Snowdon's tracks and Scafell Pike has given me some insight but completing  the mountains in succession (within 24 hours!!) will be a whole different story.

Summit of Snowdon on a clearer day.

Ascending Snowdon's Pyg Track into the fog. 

Early Saturday morning (21st June) we travel up to Ben Nevis where our challenge begins - that evening with the aim of completing Scafell and Snowdon by the same time on Sunday. The team is equipped, has trained hard and are determined to complete the challenge within the 24 hours - we can only hope the weather and the traffic is on our side!

At the summit of Scafell Pike surrounded by cloud.   

We were rewarded eventually as we descended below the cloud.

This challenge is self funded so every penny will go to Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery.
The team are not asking you to climb mountains (we do the tough bit!) just a donation towards our efforts to raise much needed funds for the centre.

Please see the link below for more information and to support our event.
http://choices.rspca.org.uk/Platforms/RSPCAChoices/Fundraisers/Display.aspx?Title=three-peaks-challenge-walking-for-wildlife

I hope the animals will be sympathetic of our aching muscles when we return to work on the Monday!

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‘ 
Texts cost £3 + standard network rate

Owl City

Our busiest time of year is well under way and it can be a tricky choice deciding which animals get to be blogged! There is certainly a lot to choose from.

This spring has seen an abundance of orphaned tawny owls, or maybe it is just because they seem to have all arrived at once!? How can I describe the vision of opening up 2 isolation cubicles and having in each, 6 pairs of tawny owl eyes staring up at you?! Go into the side room...inside another 5 shoreline cages are another 8...all big eyes and fluffy fur like feathers! It has been ‘owl city’ here at Stapeley.

 

Since these pictures have been taken, several of these owls are now in the next phase of rehabilitation and are situated in the large outdoor aviaries with plenty of branches and greenery to hide amongst.

Initially they are hand fed a few times a day, but as they mature, the feeds are dropped to just the evening, which coincides with their natural nocturnal eating pattern.

They are cute and furry as youngsters, but their beaks and talons are a reminder of their skilled hunting habits and are to be handled with care!

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‘ 
Texts cost £3 + standard network rate

Preparing for the peaks!

I enjoy a challenge, seeing what I am capable of and the fantastic sense of achievement that comes with it. A while ago it was suggested that to fundraise as part of our 20th anniversary celebrations a group of us should take on the Three Peaks Challenge. Keen to be involved I began to research exactly what the sponsored event would entail. It is well renowned for being one of the ultimate challenges in the United Kingdom consisting of; Ben Nevis at 1344m, Scafell Pike at 978m and Snowdon at 1085m amounting to 26 miles of rocky ascents and descents; so that is why they call it a challenge!

It very quickly became apparent how tough the Challenge was going to be and the huge amount of preparation that would be necessary. Although apprehensive (wondering if I was crazy to agree to this!) it did not put me off but made me even more determined to complete it. Safety is key in order to successfully climb the three mountains. It is essential to have the correct kit, be familiar with the routes, aware of the weather conditions and work as a team, even a small problem can mean you end up being in serious trouble.

With all this in mind it was time to get practicing, so I arranged a hike up Snowdon with Kim one of our placement students at Stapeley who is also taking on the challenge. We had everything ready the night before, however there is one thing you can not control- the weather!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The forecast was poor but we decided to go and if continue if the conditions were safe enough. On arrival it was raining but visibility was ok so we made the joint decision to go ahead. Kim set her watch to see how long it took then off we went. It is surprising how even a small incline makes a huge difference and was the best way to get insight to what the challenge will entail. The route started with a challenging rocky path however the last part was the hardest with a tricky steep ascent over rocks and boulders. We briefly stopped at the peak unfortunately we could not see much but enjoyed some snacks  and a drink. Then to complete the hike we headed straight back down Snowdon, we were no longer out of breath but it was still tough on the muscles. Once we had returned to the car (slightly soggy) we saw that we had finished the hike in just under three hours, a great achievement with the help of some Kendal mint cake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Success on Snowdon was encouraging but it is going to take a lot more training and practice sessions to be ready to take on the Challenge in June.

 

Please see our sponsorship page and support our hard efforts to raise much needed funds for the centre.

http://choices.rspca.org.uk/Platforms/RSPCAChoices/Fundraisers/Display.aspx?Title=three-peaks-challenge-walking-for-wildlife

 

By Michelle Bite

photos by Kim Bowman

 

 

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

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

 

 

Sorry, what’s in the back of your van...?!

Last week I received a phone call from a desperate sounding RSPCA Inspector, who had in the back of his van...a skunk!!  ‘Would we house it temporarily?’ was his request to me one evening ‘...because nobody else will take it in or even come near me...!’, ‘Oh really!’ I replied, ‘I can’t think why!!’

Wild skunks are not native to this country, so we knew it must belong to somebody, and that what we were actually dealing with was a captive escapee. This was some ones pet. 

I was on duty with our vet nurse Sarah, who on agreeing to take in the skunk, hastily got on the internet to find out what we were to feed this unusual visitor. I set up a cubicle in the isolation unit with a cosy box, whilst Sarah went around gathering fruit and meal worms from our food store.

I have to admit, I was somewhat apprehensive about the skunk arriving and was concerned that if it became stressed, nervous, or felt threatened, then the inevitable may happen!!  Have heard that the only thing able to remove the foul smell of skunk spray is tomatoes, and all we had in our staff room was one tiny sachet of ketchup!

Due to the skunks’ late arrival, my shift had actually finished and I had left the hospital. I was a tiny bit relieved! Charlie, who works in our education department was on hand however to help and took some photos....

The owner (who lived two hours away) arrived the next day to collect her pet skunk. She informed us that the skunk was a female called Stompy, who had never sprayed whilst in her care(!) This passing guest was the first skunk, I am told, to have ever been at our hospital. Despite my initial reluctance about Stompy’s visit, I did give her a stroke and a fuss when she was collected, she was actually very sweet!

Who knows what will pass through our doors next?!

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‘ 
Texts cost £3 + standard network rate

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‘ 
Texts cost £3 + standard network rate

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‘ 
Texts cost £3 + standard network rate