Volunteering at Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre - my first Day (Part 1)

My name is Laura Thorpe and I have always dreamed of a life dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife especially local wildlife here in Britain. Coming from a background in Animal Care and Welfare mainly focusing on domestics, exotic reptiles and larger livestock I had a little insight into the dedication and commitment it takes to care for animals, but from spending my first day at Stapeley Grange I knew that this new journey of mine would be completely different, still amazing but completely different. It excited me and encouraged me to pursue my dream no matter how long it would take, I was ready to work hard and give everything I can to become competent in Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.

Arriving at Stapeley Grange I was welcomed by many lovely faces, they made me feel welcomed and needed and were very helpful in getting me settled and started. I arrived at 8 am and got stuck straight in, I was spending the day with Michelle who has been a Wildlife Assistant at Stapeley Grange for many years, she’s traveled all around the world and has so much knowledge and experience, and she’s also fearless! I am going to be working beside Michelle every week as well as helping the entire team, I guess she’s acting as my mentor, training and teaching me the ins and outs of how to care and rehabilitate a variety of British Wildlife.

We started the day with the orphaned fox cubs, this alone was amazing as I have never seen fox cubs before and so was an experience in itself. Entering the room you must be very quiet to avoid creating a stressful environment for the cubs and avoids the cubs learning human voices so that they do not gain any type of relationship or interaction with humans for when they are released back into the wild.

This was definitely one of the highlights of the day; I observed Michelle syringe feeding the cubs, the handling techniques used and how to safely feed them. It’s important to remember that handling of any wild animal especially cubs such as foxes and badgers should be kept minimal as “ A tame fox, is a dead fox” and so the centre has strict protocols to follow when handling wild animals, this will help with their release and will help the animals cope better in the wild. Once fed I also observed how Michelle would toilet them, it is very important to stimulate the animal to urinate as most mammal young are unable to urinate without assistance. This would normally be done by their mothers and is therefore important to do when the animal is being rehabilitated as it could cause infection or a lack of interest in further feeding. Whilst Michelle was completing these tasks I would help clean and disinfect their nursery and discard of any waste correctly inspecting whether they had been urinating and defecating properly. I would also help prepare their feed and disinfect any equipment and clean and tidy the room ready for their next feed, this was done three times throughout my shift and was a task I very much enjoyed observing and participating in.

PART 2 to follow soon....

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Seal release in North Wales

Last weekend, myself (Lynsey Cale) and two colleagues, saw another successful seal release!  These usually run quite smoothly, as the seals are keen to exit the confines of their vari-kennel, and need little encouragement to swim into the sea.

However! whilst one of our two seals was gone in a flash, the second had other ideas which involved staying put! We waited patiently, hoping the lapping waves and incoming tide (!) might encourage him out of his kennel - but oh no, that would be too easy!!

Eventually we tilted and tipped! We slowly tilted the kennel and out popped the seal; it worked, the seal was out!

                                                       

Before i had a chance to move the vari-kennel out of the way, the reluctant seal had spun around and sped his way back into the container!  After repeating the tilt/tip process again, we used the two empty kennels to create a barrier, so as to prevent the seal from moving back up the beach!

       

Perseverance prevailed and our apprehensive sea dog, eventually got the message and could be seen swimming out to see.  Both these seals were rescued during the December storms, so after 4 months in rehab, they were finally home.

Hurrah!

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

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Sibling kestrel chicks reunited at Stapeley

Two fledgling kestrels that fell from the same nest at a Manchester train station were reunited in the hospital. I was there to receive them both and although their stories were both very sad, there was some degree of satisfaction that we could, at the very least, reunite the siblings at Stapeley.

The first chick was found on a construction site on Hanover Street in Manchester after it was believed to have fledged from his nest near Manchester Victoria Station. The second was collected by a RSPCA inspector just two days later when he was found stuck between two wooden supports at the station.

Sadly because they could not be returned to the nest they were both admitted to RSPCA Stapeley Grange for further care. They are such beautiful birds; they have been with us now for about 6 weeks. They are doing really well and are now outside. We are all hoping that we can return them back to the wild by the end of this month.

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

To Support RSPCA Stapeley Grange by donating £3, simply text RSPCA2 to 70007 
Texts cost £3 + standard network rate

Woodpeckers are perhaps one of our noisiest wildlife admissions.

When new admissions are brought to me for treatment and housing it is always exciting to find out what new arrival awaits me in the box. Some very loud and insistent chirping came from a box last week; the box contained four orphaned Great spotted woodpeckers, which had been transferred across from RSPCA Bradford by our regional driver. Announcing their arrival and demanding food they certainly made their presence known.

As Woodpeckers usually nest in a hole in a tree I quickly set up a home for them to replicate this. The four orphans quickly settled into their nest; a bowl lined with a soft material placed in a tub which is covered over except  when we are feeding

As we approach their hourly feeds the chirping noise from their new nest begins to rise, at least until their tummies are full again, at which point they fall back to sleep. 

It will be amazing to see these wonderful birds develop, climbing logs and pecking at the wood.   They are renowned for the knocking noise they make on trees but clearly they also have got very loud ‘I’m hungry’ voices too!!

 By Michelle Bite

Sponsors of Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery

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Seeing the challenges of an RSPCA Inspector

Perhaps one of the most recognised roles within the RSPCA is that of an RSPCA Inspector who work tirelessly in the field helping to save and rescue animals in need. During my role as a Wildlife Assistant I work closely alongside the inspectorate team when they bring in wildlife to the Centre, or as and when they are collect animals for release.
However what is it they actually do outside of Stapeley? What does their job entail?

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to spend the day shadowing Inspector Heather Morris, riding along in a white RSPCA van to find out. I was initially surprised at the amount of technology they have available to them which enables them to see what jobs they have been tasked from our National Call Centre. It was enlightening to see the various protocols Heather has to follow when attending callouts and investigating complaints.

Our first call out of the day was of a possible cat/kitten abandonment at a flat. There was no response after knocking at the door except for a few hungry meows. We were certain that there were a number of skinny cats inside but we were un-sure of the length of time they had been left or if anyone would return. Heather planned to return to check on the later and left a note. She also posted some food  through the letter box.

We were then off to check a dog that had been reported to have no shelter. On arrival we saw there was plenty so nothing further was required. There was also a brief stop at a site where chickens had been abandoned to leave a note – a message to say that the abandoned chickens had now been rehomed.

One of the most shocking and saddening things I have ever seen since joining the team here was on this day out…a duck with no beak!  The local residents who had called this in, were all extremely concerned and keen to see the duck picked up. Unfortunately the duck was on the water when we arrived and kept flying off as we approached so there was no way for us to get close enough to capture the bird. All we could do was advise the residents to monitor the situation and if they could herd the duck into an enclosed area then we could be called again.

The day ended with me returning home to Stapeley with a hedgehog that we had been called out too - it was out during the day and very lethargic.  All in all a very busy day and those were just the highlights!

I would like to say a huge thank you to Heather for giving me the opportunity to shadow her work for the day and showing me what being an RSPCA Inspector really involves.

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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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

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

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