Nick Harding
IN THE nation’s countryside and open spaces, an epic fight for survival has begun. Because for Britain’s wildlife, this is the beginning of peak orphan season. In the coming months, thousands of newborn or newly hatched wild animals will be abandoned. Some of their parents will have been attacked, killed or eaten. Others will have fled after their nests, burrows and hidey-holes were disturbed.
The lucky ones end up in one of country’s network of wildlife hospitals.
All will arrive in various states of injury, exposure and abandonment. A small army of largely volunteer helpers are currently gearing up for the annual influx.
They will nurse every conceivable species of wildlife from juvenile owls, badgers and hedgehogs to rabbits, foxes and songbirds.
The battle has already begun at the Wildlife Aid Foundation in Surrey, one of the busiest wild animal rescue and rehabilitation centres. And the season gets earlier every year. Founder and CEO Simon Cowell, pictured below, explains: “This year we had a young fledgling blackbird in at the end of January.
“It was already a couple of weeks old. It’s the earliest we’ve ever seen a songbird.
“The mild weather throws wildlife out of sync. We’ve been operating for 40 years and orphan season has started earlier.
“I can only surmise that climate change is affecting natural patterns.”
At the height of the season, which runs into June, the centre takes in an average of 15 young animals every day.
“Sadly, many of the incidents we see are avoidable and caused by humans. In early March we always urge people to think about wild animals before they start work on their gardens and homes,” says Mr Cowell.
‘Orphan season starts earlier every year...climate change is blamed’
B●●To make a donation, visit www.wildlife aid.org.uk
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RITAIN is dotted with a network of rescue centres and individual hobbyist rescuers. The community shares tips and passes patients between themselves, depending on specialisms. Commercial vets also help, with many donating time and expertise to charities for free.
The aim is to return the rescued creatures to the wild. Young animals need to be fed every few hours until they are old enough to be weaned and each species needs its own unique milk formulation. Busy centres capable of taking in several hundred animals can spend around £1,500 on milk and food every month. But once animals are weaned, contact with people is kept to a minimum.
Mr Cowell explains: “The animals need to stay wild. They can’t imprint or get used to people. It is important to keep them at a distance – the less interaction they have with humans, the better.”
For those who find themselves faced with a stranded baby wild animal there are certain rules to follow:
Experts advise people to wait before acting if the animal is not in danger or distress, as often the parent will still be nearby.
They also urge people to call the nearest wildlife centre for advice.
Fledglings should also be left and observed if not in immediate danger.
They will survive out of the nest and are usually being protected and fed by a nearby parent.
After a check-up this cygnet, which had become separated from its family group, was successfully reunited