The busy season starts with seven fox cubs



I had been anticipating when the first fox cub of the season would arrive, however what was not expected was when not one but a large litter of seven orphans (yes seven!) were admitted.

This group takes the record for the greatest number of cubs in a litter that I've cared for. The seven siblings have a white dot on the fur on different areas of their body so we can tell them apart and monitor each individuals progress. At only around 10 days old and with their eyes still closed it is early days in the many stages they will need to go through for rehabilitation. It will take around 6 months for the cubs to develop and be prepared, ready for their release into the wild.

It is essential to avoid any imprinting (becoming used to people), being with other cubs will help them become familiar with their own kind and aid in keeping them wild. 
The cubs will have only essential human contact (such as for feeding) and any noise is kept to a minimum around them.  

Although, the orphans do not abide by this, becoming very vocal when it comes to their feeding time! The video clips give you an idea of the sound. 

Seven hungry mouths require six syringe feeds a day each with a puppy milk formula, then once the tummies are full the cubs need stimulating for toileting. I find it barely seems any time between feeds, it takes a lot of time and hard work but at the same time is incredibly rewarding. 

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 1234 999 .  For more advice - http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/wildlife/orphanedanimals  

 By Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

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Whooper Swans not the easiest of patients

Many Mute Swans pass though our admission doors at Stapeley Grange, however recently a comparable but very rarely seen Whooper Swan was brought in.

  

Found thin and weak having not moved from location for a period of time the bird was clearly unwell needing to be seen as soon as possible.

Fortunately Kendall College, another centre we are working in collaboration with was able to provide initial stabilisation and make a diagnosis of lead poisoning.

The Whooper Swan was then transferred to Stapeley where the diagnosis was confirmed by x-ray showing 12 tiny metal spheres in the gizzard (stomach where food is ground down).

These needed to be emptied away to prevent them being ground down further and increasing the toxin level in the body.

In order to do this the bird was administered a general anesthetic and had 2 buckets of water steadily flushed through its system.

After the procedure the Swan was then re x-rayed to ensure no pieces of metal were left.

Not long after, to our surprise a second Whooper Swan also found in the Lancashire area was brought in due to being grounded with a dropped wing.

Despite their medical issues both birds were extremely feisty in comparison to often much calmer Mute Swans. They certainly were not going to easily comply with administering medication- even putting the food bowl in was a challenge to staff!

It was exciting to care for these Whooper Swans as we do not often see them as well as their spirited nature adding a bit of a challenge.

 By Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

The Tiny Turnstone

A first time for me last week, was to see a 'Turnstone' wader bird in our care.

A pretty little thing it is quite small and delicate and currently sporting its winter plumage (which will change to a mottled orange and brown in the summer). It arrived with small bloody wounds situated near both its 'shoulder' areas- this can sometimes be indicative of it having flown into something.

With some cage rest and a ready supply of mealworms to eat, the Turnstone was soon looking brighter. A short course of medication to ward off any infection caused by its injuries, and a wash to remove dried blood from its wings, soon saw the wader in optimum health.

Washing smaller birds can sometimes be trickier, I think, than washing large Swans and Geese. It is a much fiddlier process and requires a balance between being thorough, but with a gentle touch!

His feathers are now looking fab and he is ready for release!

By Lynsey Cale

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

Christmas cheer and Stapeley prepares for the New Year

Wearing my Santa hat and occasionally singing the odd seasonal song, it was work as normal at Stapeley, providing the necessary care for those patients with us over the Christmas period. Although a traditional Christmas dinner was not an option for our animals they still enjoyed their usual feeds but with a little festive cheer thrown in for good measure.

And then we were brought a rather hefty visitor by ACO Derek Hampson, in the form of an adult grey seal who was more than double/triple the size of the pups we currently have in our care.  As we could not bring him inside the hospital, as we usually do for any new admissions, the vets had to use their torches to assess him from a distance. It was agreed, following some lengthy discussions with colleagues at East Winch, that he should be transferred down to East Winch Wildlife Centre, in Norfolk, where they have specialised accommodation for such large seals.  In order to minimise stress it was agreed that he should stay on the trailer for the night; he was provided with a large tray of water and some food (a few tasty herrings) - to our relief he soon started drinking.

The next morning he was transferred to East Winch and given the name Dumbledore. It was not only an incredible experience to see such a fantastic animal up close but also to see how everyone pulled together to help save this lost seal.  Hopefully he will be returned home soon.

Into the new year it is mainly hedgehogs and swans that make up the majority of our patients, however we have admitted a single robin and some common buzzards.  Although fairly quiet in the hospital all staff are now busy preparing for what we anticipate to be another busy spring /summer season.

 By Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

Christmas Quacker!

We had a surprise, if somewhat a late arrival last week. A small duckling! 

During the spring/summer period, we are usually inundated with hundreds of ducklings, so to get one so near to Christmas is quite uncommon!  This particular duckling, was the remaining survivor from a brood that was laid and hatched on Chimp Island, at Chester zoo.  The mother had flown off, and her inexperienced young, who are unable to fly yet, were left stranded with no clear or safe exit off the Island.   Cold and weak, they were eventually removed from the island, but it was too late for all bar one.

However, the remaining duckling is currently warm and safe here at Stapeley, where he can spend his Christmas and New Year!  Housed in a box, toasty on a heat pad with a soft toy for companionship along with food and water mean this is one lucky ducky!

 

Happy Christmas everyone

Written by: 

Lynsey Cale

Photos by:

Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

Mucky Ducks

Over the last few days RSPCA Collection Officer Derek Hampson has brought in nearly 30 ducks to us (male and female Mallards), from Makerfield in Lancashire.

Sadly, the pond which these ducks have been calling home, is now polluted with an unpleasant oily substance.

This oil has contaminated the ducks feathers, thus destroying their natural waterproofing-essential for maintaining warmth.

So it is our job to restore this waterproofing with a vigorous soapy wash,a thorough power-shower rinse and a warm environment to dry off and preen in!

In teams of two; one washing and one holding, the ducks have been receiving a much needed clean in our specialised wash room. The washing procedure for any wildlife can be a stressful experience, but as soon as it is over, the ducks quickly get busy preening their feathers and hopefully feeling much better for it!

Seeing them dried off with a clean, fluffed up waterproofed plumage means our job is done!

They will be released again shortly, into an unpolluted, duck friendly pond :-) yay!

By 

Lynsey Cale

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

Come and join us at Stapeley Grange for our Christmas Fair

The shops are full of decorations, there are gifts galore, festive tunes and adverts have started.....yes Christmas is nearly here!
Don't worry if the season has crept up on you there we have the great opportunity to pick up those perfect gifts and get into the festive spirit.

You can see from the advert below the event will be full of fun activities for all ages along with great tasting refreshments that you can't refuse. Our imaginative education department have been working hard to prepare exciting crafts so visitors can be creative and share our passion for wildlife.

We are in for fantastic  tunes and entertainment provided by our friends at The Cat radio station.
There will be representatives from Wirral & Cheshire Badger Group plus Hedgehog Street to wow you with fascinating information and answer questions.
South Cheshire Ferret Rescue are joining in our festivities to tell us all about their work.

To top it off Santa Claus will waiting in our winter wonderland to meet and find out what is on everyone's Christmas list.



   

 

 

 

So come and support us at Stapeley Grange and join our celebrations at our great Christmas event.

See you soon!

 

 



By

Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery