Wildlife Matters Rescue

07/09/2024

What a difference a day makes…
Well, in Clive’s case 21 days, to triple his weight and size.
Clive would like to remind you please to check piles of leaves etc when tidying your garden for the Autumn, especially before having fires, as many wildlife will be using these as homes.

01/09/2024

RESCUE. Rehab. Release

Happy to help, your Highness...
Black backed gulls are the largest gulls in the world and have been described as "the king of the Atlantic waterfront". A further description says they "will readily eat almost anything they can swallow" and, unfortunately for Sammy (as he was named by his finder), he did!
Sammy was grounded on the beach, unable to move with string around his feet and also string coming out of his mouth, a sad victim of pollution.
Fortunately for Sammy he was found by someone who cared, messaged for help and waited with him. The finder is always the first vital step in the process, the decisions they take are literally life and death decisions.
The rescuer and the rehabber carry on the process but without the care of the finder the life would not be saved.
Fingers crossed for Sammy, now in the care of RSPCA Mallydams, our thanks, as ever, to them

27/08/2024

🌳Wood pigeons!🌳 Our centre is currently squab-central, with the majority of those being nestling and juvenile Wood pigeons.

The peak time for young Wood pigeons to fledge the nest is August, so you may see them wandering around. It's important to only ever intervene with a fledgling bird if they are injured, unwell, have been caught by another animal (such as a cat or dog), or are in immediate danger. Staying with their parents is the best way for a healthy baby to be raised.

Sometimes, especially in windy weather, nestlings will fall out the nest too early - these birds are not grown or developed enough to be on the floor. If you are unsure if you need to help, you can give us a call on 🔹0300 123 0723🔹and/or message us with a photo of the bird - this can help us to assess the situation for you.

27/08/2024

Rescue . REHAB. Release

WHAT’S IN A NAME? …………….
This little beauty has a name. His name is Clive. Clive is cute, Clive is fluffy, clever and funny, but Clive also has another name, Clive is a rat.
And therein lies the problem because that name defines Clive and how society, as a whole, perceives him.
Yes, rats can be a nuisance, especially when they are in the wrong place at the wrong time but so can many animals. Rats can cause damage, but so can many animals. Rats can carry disease , but so can many animals, yet, as a society, we reserve a special disdain for rats. Most hardware shops will have a section for rat poison, we may wince when we walk past it but imagine if those shelves were for cat poison or dog poison, imagine the disgust and outcry, and rightly so, but why is it ok to poison one animal but not another?
Clive was brought to us after a cat had caught him. His foster carer has looked after him with absolute devotion and he has already increased his body weight by 50%
Eventually, when the time is right, Clive will go to a release site, far away from humans where he will hopefully lead a long and happy life without disturbing anyone. He will be in the right place at the right time .
If Clive could speak he would probably ask you why he is so hated? Why is it ok for him to be poisoned when other animals are loved? Why, as a society, have we legitimised his death? And I would have no answer for him except to say “wrong time, wrong place”.
What’s in a name? Sadly, for Clive and his kind, everything…..

23/08/2024

ONWARD AND UPWARD!
Today we had the news we’ve been waiting for! Thanks to the very hard work of our Chair of Trustees we have officially achieved charity status. We are now Charity Number 1209726
Officially it means a number of practical things come into play and it allows us to operate, fund raise and expand with total transparency.
Unofficially it means the world to us to have our work recognised as worthy of official status. Be assured that we will continue to work just as hard to help the wildlife to the benefit of the local community.
These are some of our rescued animals, could you help others like them?
If you are interested in volunteering as a rescuer, please message our page, no previous experience necessary and ‘hours’ are totally flexible, you help when you can.
The animals need you and we do too.

20/08/2024

DOING THE RIGHT THING
Two goodbyes…..
If you look back at little Maeve’s story you will see the amazing transformation made possible by the dedication of her carer. An enormous amount of time and love went into that transformation and it’s hard to let go, but the time was right for Maeve to move on to aviary life and, however much she is missed, we say goodbye, because that’s why we are here, to do the right thing.
Sometimes, though, the story doesn’t have a happy ending and however hard we try, it’s just not meant to be. Gorgeous George had the same absolute dedication and care plus the support of all of you, especially the people who donated to meet his vet bill. Despite such promising signs the infection in his leg returned and this time all the care, both from us and his vet, were just not enough and the sad decision had to be made to allow him to be rewilded to the rainbow bridge.
The decisions all of us involved in animal
care make have to be made for the right reasons, however sad and painful, they have to be made for the animal, not for ourselves.
Fly high George, free from pain, it wasn’t what we wanted, but decisions like this are what we signed up to, doing the right thing ….

18/08/2024

To trap or not to trap …..
We often say that wildlife belongs in the wild and we do everything we can to stick to that belief. Sometimes though we are faced with the decision which is harder than the actual rescue.
This poor fox has been referred to us, she is being fed regularly and is just about coping but her eye condition is worsening and a decision had to be made. Without treatment she will almost certainly be blind and would then not be able to cope in the wild. Trapping her may mean that, despite treatment, she may have to be put to sleep.
After taking vet advice we have had to make the decision to trap her and can now only hope that when she is caught that the condition is treatable.
Now we wait for the call to tell us she has been caught, because it is the responsible thing to do for her, but there is always the half lingering hope that she makes the decision for herself and somehow, against all the odds, survives. Wildlife rescue is hard and sometimes tough decisions have to be made, but the animals must always come first.
Thank you to Mallydams for lending us a fox trap until ours arrives.
We will keep you all updated.

12/08/2024

SHOUT IT OUT LARRY!
A massive thank you to Juliet Hammond and everyone involved in Friday’s Garden Party which raised us such a generous donation.
We are going to use it to enhance our rescuing capability by buying a large, professional extendable ladder and a humane fox trap for those occasions where a fox needs a little bit of extra attention before continuing life in the wild.
As a new rescue we are obviously starting from scratch and a donation like this means the world to us.
Thank you to you all.

10/08/2024

RESCUE. Rehab. Release

WHAT PRICE A LIFE?
We had a message and photos, just before midday today from a member of the public who had spotted a gull trapped in netting on Bexhill Workplace/ Skills Centre.
The Fire service were called and arrived promptly but we couldn’t gain access to the work area.
Many phone calls later the caretaker arrived at 2.30 and opened the gates.
Bexhill Fire Service came back but needed a bigger appliance with long reach. They called Hastings who also arrived very promptly.
The gull was successfully rescued, offered a drink and then taken to Mallydams. He had a small cut on his leg but after rehydration and rest should, hopefully, make a full recovery.
The rescue lasted 4 1/2 hours and is our longest and most labour intensive yet.
Thank you to everyone involved but, particularly, in this case, the Fire Service who were awesome.
A long, difficult and challenging rescue but no one was giving up - What price a life? Limitless - whatever it takes.

08/08/2024

Little Maeve popped by to show you how beautifully she is growing and to say some thank yous!
Firstly a huge thank you to everyone who has bought us something from our Amazon wish list. Your support is vital and particularly, at the moment, helps our rehab patients such as Maeve and our gull chicks.
Thank you to the finders who have taken the time to seek help for animals in need and to all our team without whom the rescue wouldn’t be possible.
Thank you to RSPCA Mallydam’s Wood for their amazing care of the animals and their support of us as a new rescue and to Barby Keele’s Sanctuary ( open day Sunday afternoon) for their help with our gull chicks.
We still need rescuers if we are to continue to help all the animals in need, please send us a message if you think you can help. If you would like to meet us then some of us will be in Egerton park next Saturday August 17th., more on this later!

07/08/2024

🧼 Pigeon bath time! 🧼

Washing a contaminated bird is a more complicated process than most people think - there is more to keep in mind than just sticking them in a sink with some soap. It's very important this is only done by people with training and experience - luckily, our wildlife team know what to do 🫧

Our urban environment poses many hazards to Wildlife - as this little pigeon rescued by Wildlife Matters Rescue knows all too well. He found himself covered in diesel, possibly after trying to bathe in a contaminated puddle, and was very kindly and quickly brought to our hospital here at Mallydams.

He's recovering after his wash, feeling (and smelling) much better 🕊️

06/08/2024

05/08/2024

RESCUE. Rehab. Release

Keeping wildlife in the wild
Two rescues this morning with very different outcomes.
You will know that our aim is ALWAYS to keep wildlife in the wild, wherever possible, by any means possible, whether that be monitoring, feeding, medication, relocation, support etc., but , sometimes it just isn’t possible.
The gull in the top photo was found on Saturday night , unable to fly, in the road. The finders looked after him and although he was slightly out of our area, as no other rescue was able to help until Tuesday, we collected him and took him to Mallydams where he will be assessed by a vet. Due to injury it was not possible to leave him in the wild.
We were called to the very pretty wood pigeon in the equally pretty garden when the finder became concerned that he’d been sat for over an hour and she hadn’t seen him move. Our rescuer arrived quickly and checked the bird for signs of injury. He immediately became lively and a sibling arrived to see what was going on! Mum was also in attendance so, happily, after checking that he could fly, he was able to be left with his family. There is always risk at fledging stage but the optimum result is always for the bird to be left in the wild if possible. If the finder can monitor and contact us again if there are any further concerns - then that is the icing on the cake - as they say!
Thank you to the finders for taking the time to care, to the rescuers and to RSPCA Mallydams for ongoing care for the gull.

04/08/2024

Rescue. REHAB. Release

“It is not the strength of the body that counts, but the strength of the spirit “ JRR Tolkien

Gorgeous George update
George’s story is one of strength of spirit and continuity and quality of care.
Care from his finders who took his broken little body out of the pond and continue to care, visiting him only this week.
Care from his foster carer who has given him outstanding levels of care and attention.
Care from his vet whose latest treatment is a Manuka Honey based cream for his wounds. (Photos in comments)
Care from all of you who donated towards his vet bill and offered words of encouragement and support.
Throughout it all George’s spirit has shown the strength and resilience to get him through, his little bright eyes gazing back at us.
Rehab is the most joyful and the most sorrowful part of wildlife care. George’s will continue until his feathers grow back and he can be released into the wild where he belongs.
It is also expensive, if you are able to buy a gift from our Amazon wish list we would be very grateful and it would be put to good use with our rehab patients. We urgently need syringes, Tropican, disposable gloves, puppy pads.
Thank you for your support, we will keep you updated on Gorgeous George and his journey back to the wild.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/BDI63ABEIX5?ref_=wl_sha

02/08/2024

RESCUE Rehab. Release

NO TAMING OF THIS SHREW!

This super speedy little shrew was brought in by a cat, although apparently unhurt and with no visible marks, it is still important to get any bird or rodent that has been caught by a cat to a vet asap.
Cat saliva carries bacteria that is poisonous to birds and rodents, anti biotic treatment is needed as a matter of urgency.
Thank you to RSPCA Mallydams Wood for taking on her care.

31/07/2024

Rescue. Rehab. RELEASE

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

No, not ghost busters! ESFRS Bexhill Fire Station responded quickly when we needed help with a crow caught in netting over the roof at B and Q. The netting was damaged in several places allowing birds in.
Next morning we were called to a seagull caught by his foot in netting over Screwfix. Our intrepid rescuer freed this one and the gull was taken for a check up at RSPCA Mallydams Wood as he was very quiet despite being given recovery time.
Both stores have been contacted as trapping wild birds is a crime under the 1981 Wildlife Act.
Thank you to everyone involved in saving these two lives.

30/07/2024

Rescue. REHAB. Release

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Meet Maeve. Maeve was brought in by a cat ( more about this tomorrow) on 6th July weighing only 21 grams.
Tiny pigeons only stand a very small chance of being successfully hand reared but our pigeon champion was determined to at least try and look at her now!
22nd July, 16 days later and weight increased to 122 grams. The amount of time and care that has gone into this transformation is immense, but what a reward. Maeve’s life saved but also the lives of all her progeny down through the years.
Massive thanks to her fosterer for all her dedication. We will bring you updates as Maeve’s rehabilitation continues. Sing loudly Maeve, you are one of the lucky ones.

29/07/2024

RESCUE. Rehab. Release.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me , when I’m 64?
The last few days have been all about the gulls, old, young, stranded, injured, dying……
On the left, cute as can be, looked after over night by caring finders ready to be relocated in a high place in the morning. All his life ahead of him.
On the right, a dying older gull found by a holiday maker in Rye. Maybe not as cute, maybe not with the immediate appeal of youth as is common in all species, but beautiful all the same and with a team determined that he should have a ‘good death’ and not linger in pain on the street.
The holiday maker messaged us, with photos and location, the rescue Co-ordinating team found a rescuer, the rescue gave up her time to gently pick him up and take him to RSPCA Mallydams Wood, where he sadly died.
He needed us at the end of life as much as the pretty chick needed help at the start.
Not the end anyone would have wanted but, from the holiday maker asking for updates, to the rescuer shedding a tear, at the end he had someone there who cared, and that’s all any of us can ask for.

27/07/2024

Some of our gull chicks, who couldn’t be relocated, have been cared for in one of the aviaries here. Soon be time for release, back into the wild where they belong. Thank you again for what you have done for them.

23/07/2024

Rescue. REHAB. Release

Gorgeous George update.

If you look back you will see that it was a twist of fate that brought George to us, straight into the care of our pigeon champion.
We asked if you would help with his vet bill, which his rehabber had paid herself, and you blew us away with your generosity!
We set the fund raiser at £137 and you far exceeded that within hours. We stopped accepting donations at £170 and, after fees, received £162.05
This paid both George’s bill and the bill for a little injured squirrel’s assessment and initial treatment before she was, very sadly put to sleep.
This leaves us with £13.14 which we will keep in our account towards the next vet bill. I hope you find this acceptable
Absolutely massive thanks to those of you who donated and everyone who wished George well. George wanted his photo from his ‘good side’ but there are very graphic photos of the injury in comments.
Thank you all again for making treatment possible for these two animals.

22/07/2024

DON’T CALL US, WE’LL CALL YOU……
But only if we have to!
This is the story of a gull and the rescue which enabled him to stay in the wild, without harm.
It also explains why we use Messenger as our point of contact and why it works so well.
Yesterday afternoon, having not received a reply for several hours on another rescue page, the finder was directed to us.
She messaged at 16.51, we replied at 16.52
The problem involved a non eating gull chick, foxes in the garden and the best solution to keep him in the wild.
The finder lives a long way out of area but that made no difference to the advice we were able to give and that advice was based on photos sent and consultation with seagull experts and, of course, the finder.
Along the way we arranged sanctuary space if needed ( her local rescues were full) and supported her while a plan was made. The last message was at 20.02
This morning we received a message at 7.51 with the brilliant news that the finder’s decision and the plan were right, he fledged this morning.
In short
If you have a phone as a point of contact you rely on one person to receive emergency notifications.
Online allows a team of controllers to be alerted.
There is a higher level of vigilance.
Location and casualty photos can be instantly provided allowing prompt assessment and accurate response.
Postcodes and/or What3words locations are recorded reducing error.
A contact number is requested for use if necessary.
This approach has allowed us to guide finders through relocating chicks in suitable locations.
Has allowed prompt updates.
Had allowed us to send rescuers when necessary, properly equipped for the individual rescue.
Has allowed accurate updates to the casualty destination.
It is, maybe, a more modern approach, but things change, and anything that gives a better experience and better outcomes for the casualty is a good change.
This system is what we use to maximise the chance of keeping wildlife in the wild.
And enabling wildlife to be in the wild is what we do.

21/07/2024

IT’S NOT WHAT YOU LOOK AT THAT MATTERS, IT’S WHAT YOU SEE.

When you look at the video what do you see?

Luckily for this little gull his rescuer saw a life in danger and a sentient soul in pain.

It was a challenging rescue, 4 storeys up with the only access through a skylight. But she didn’t give up and with some expert net work managed to scoop him to safety.

He earned safe transport to Mallydams.

Mallydams earned our thanks, as always, for their emergency treatment and on going care

And our rescuer, well she earned our awe and utmost respect.

***UPDATE FROM MALLYDAMS
Great news, the gull is in recovery in an aviary now ***

19/07/2024

YOUR WILDLIFE NEEDS YOU

You will be aware that we set up our rescue to help cope with the increased need for wildlife care in the area.

We are now the only local group going out to rescues with Bexhill and Hastings Wildlife Rescue passing their calls to us.

We urgently need drivers who can pick up contained animals and take to Mallydams, vets, foster etc.

If you can help, even occasionally, please send us a message, we and they urgently need you.

18/07/2024

Today is the day it starts, please slow down , flash headlights to encourage gulls to move out of the way.

Shared from Hastings Old Town Gull Appreciation Group

17/07/2024

NEVER JUDGE A BOOK……..
There has, rightly, been outrage about the youths who catapulted the duck last week leading to her untimely death and a great deal of sorrow.
Over the last two days we have seen the other side of the coin with this poor pigeon rescued from a lake by a kind young man and a drowning gull rescued today, from the boating pool, by two youths. Real men in the making, thank you all for your kindness.
Thank you to RSPCA Mallydams for emergency treatment for both these casualties and thank you to everyone who has recently bought something for the animals from our wish list and contributed to George’s vet bill.

16/07/2024

Please read George’s story and consider making a donation, if you can, to support us in supporting him with his care, rehabilitation and journey back to the wild.

Many thanks

George should never have met the Wildlife Matters Rescue team. He was found by a member of the public who co… Zoe House needs your support for Gorgeous George

15/07/2024

All creatures great and small…..
After messages about pigeons with string foot at Hastings Station, a team of rescuers set out on Saturday afternoon to set to work on trying to catch and free up the feet on some of the worst affected. This was always going to be an on-going project but Saturday’s mission was cut short in order to rescue a gentleman who had facial injuries after an unfortunate fall.
Facing a wait for an ambulance he was ‘rescued’ and delivered to Conquest Hospital. First Homo Sapiens rescue for Wildlife Matters, we wish him well.

13/07/2024

Rescue. REHAB. Release
Rehab, challenging, time consuming but such a joy when the outcomes are good.
A few of our little chicks who, sadly, couldn’t be relocated with their families, now doing well together.
Without the person who gave us aviary space we could not have saved these chicks, a massive thank you.
We will bring you the Release when the time comes.
It has been quite a sad few days with animals put to sleep and found dying.
Sometimes all we can do is help them towards a good death, a rewilding at the Rainbow Bridge, but whatever the circumstances they will be treated with dignity and respect.
One of the key roles of the rescuer is to take the difficult decisions about life and death, always putting the animal first, and to recognise, that however much we want to, we can’t save them all.

12/07/2024

WHAT YOU SEE WHAT IT MEANS

So much bad news in the world that sometimes we get desensitised.
Scrolling through Facebook you see a message from Rother police, “how awful”, you think, and it is, but the effects are so much more awful.
Here she is, the beautiful duck shot with a catapault, now, very very sadly ‘rewilded to the Rainbow Bridge’, leaving behind the devastated lady who loved her and asked us for help, her duck family and many saddened members of the public.
One act of cruelty, a life lost and a ripple of sadness.
We all have a duty of care to wildlife, please help them when you can, they need us all, and we need you.