A quarter of native British mammals are now
at risk of extinction and the UK, with just 53 per
cent of its biodiversity remaining, is listed as one
of the world’s most nature-depleted nations.
In the coming months the struggle for survival
faced by much-loved species such as hedgehogs,
foxes, badgers and songbirds will become
increasingly acute as breeding season in the wild
begins. Dens and burrows will be disturbed by
unwitting humans. Nursing mothers will die in
road accidents. Nests will be destroyed by
gardeners. Young will be abandoned. There is a
good reason why the wildlife fraternity describe
spring as “orphan season”.
For the last 40 years, the Wildlife Aid
Foundation has rescued, rehabilitated and
released British wildlife. Each year it responds
to over 20,000 incidents. Orphan season is its
busiest. During the next months, the charity’s
state-of-the-art wildlife hospital will operate
round-the-clock, caring for thousands of patients.
Its work will also help other wildlife centres:
as a centre of excellence for UK wildlife care, the
hospital trains veterinarians and wildlife carers
in the vital skills and protocols needed to ensure
that orphaned and injured wildlife get the best
possible chance of release back into the wild.
The last two springs have seen
unprecedented numbers of patients. Lockdown
and work-from-home undoubtedly played a
part as more people spent time outdoors
enjoying nature. Climate change is also a factor.
Breeding patterns have changed noticeably,
with animals breeding earlier each year.
To provide this level of care, Wildlife Aid
Foundation relies on over 300 volunteers andSignal Boost
the generosity of the public as it receives no
statutory funding and frequently takes in
patients from better funded organisations such
as the RSPCA. During orphan season the
charity’s running costs increase to over
£20,000 a week.
Yet many of the incidents the charity responds
to can be avoided, as CEO Simon Cowell explains:
“We always urge people to think about wild
animals before they start work on their gardens
and homes and the advice is particularly relevant
this time of year when there is young around.”Want to help?
For more information on how you
can help British wildlife and support the
work of Wildlife Aid Foundation, visit
http://www.wildlifeaid.org.ukWelcome to our Signal Boost project – a page for charitable
organisations to get their message out to a global audience, free of
charge. Today, a message from Wildlife Aid Foundation
British wildlife in crisis