An animal
relies on its senses to enable it to survive in the wild. The important function
of smell will influence an animals’ decision making process; where to forage,
what to eat, who to mate with, when to mate, marking territory, detecting
predators, the list goes on....
And my
sense of smell has indeed undergone an assault since working at Stapeley! A
room full of foxes contains a strong, pungent aroma far from fragrant, whilst
ferrets and polecats are altogether more ‘musty’! However, the biggest
olfactory surprise this week was an eye opener, or rather an eye waterer...
Walking
into their poolside enclosure I was hit with a fishy-vinegary odour, a smell
that you could cut with a plastic spoon! I have been informed that their faeces
contain ammonia (hence the watery eyes and the vinegary top-notes!)
So! The award
for the most offensive wildlife smell so far goes to...juvenile herring gulls!
Herring gulls in isolation prior to their move outside onto larger netted waterfowl paddocks
Sponsors of Stapeley Grange's Summer Wildlife Assistant Position
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