Since volunteering with wildlife aid I have not had the opportunity to actively take part in a rescue, so when on my usual Monday shift earlier this week, Mike approached me offering me the chance to help out with a duckling rescue, I jumped at the chance. At first the idea was a little daunting as it would be filmed for the future series of Wildlife SOS, knowing my luck I would make a complete fool of myself, but it was all in the name of wildlife right?

The rescue involved a family of ducklings stuck down a weir, so it involved getting wet! Unfortunately the ducklings had fallen through the grill and couldn't get back out, so it was up to the wildlife aid team to bring them to safety. If you watch Wildlife SOS this may sound familiar, the series has previously seen Goff struggling through wet, smelly tunnels to rescue them in the past. Now it was my turn....

On arriving at the site we were told filming was not permitted, as much as I would have loved to jump up and down in front of the TV as I made my own appearance it did let off a bit of the pressure. Simon went down into the weir first to inspect the ducklings, they were huddled together down one end desperately calling for mum. Simon explained one volunteer, who didn't mind getting wet, would go down the tunnel with a net to capture them while the others blocked the exit to prevent them running down the second, wetter, longer and darker tunnel. I glanced at Richard, he didn't look keen, so I volunteered myself, it was just a bit of water right?

As I made my way down into the weir I realised the task was much more daunting, the water was only about an inch deep, but it smelt foul and rotten, the floor was slimy, the walls covered in moss, and the tunnel was only about a metre high. But at the end I could see the 6 little ducklings, desperately trying to get out the way they came in without any hope.


Net in hand I started down the tunnel, at first I tried to avoid the water as much as possible. Crawling along on my hands and tiptoes was such a slow and achey process, I eventually gave in and flopped onto my knees, I could feel the foul smelly water soak into my trousers. As I got closer the ducklings started to panic, I could see mum at the top looking down on her babies. I managed to quickly scoop up two babies but the rest dashed past me back down the tunnel.

Simon and Richard were blocking the exit with another net, if they went down the next tunnel the task would become ten times harder. As I made my way back down the tunnel the ducklings again dashed past me, back to the other end. It felt like cat and mouse. Holding the net in one hand, trying to grab very fast little ducklings in the other, you have to be quick! I managed to corner the ducklings again, and again I quickly managed to put two into the net, while the others had run back down the tunnel.


I started slowly back down the tunnel, the net in my hand was now getting heavy, my knees starting to ache as they rubbed on the slimy stone floor. I flopped onto my bum. Ugh! I could feel the water in my pants. Not nice! The ducklings ran back into the corner and I managed to grab one more, just one to go. In its last deperate attempt to escape is dashed towards Simon and Rich who had a trap waiting. It stepped straight into the net! Success! All babies rescued.

We gathered them all up and took them out of the weir, mum following behind us. Back up at the mill pond Rich suggested I release them, seeing as I had rescued them. As I lowered the net they were quickly reunited with mum and they all swam off together. This was the first time I had seen rescued animals being released, and I had been part of it all. It was such an incredible feeling. I felt so proud of what we had done. Even as I stood there, completed soaked, squelchy trainers, moss coated hair and with the stench of a sewer rat, it all felt worthwhile.


I have really enjoyed volunteering with wildlife aid, I have become so passionate about it, to be able to rescue and help animals that most people just take for granted. I have become so much more aware of the wildlife around us that I once just ignored. Whether it be the ducklings on the pond, the owl in the tree, or the pigeon pecking at my feet, they all hold a place close to my heart.


Thanks to Simon and Becky for photo's.

On arriving for my usual Monday morning shift at Wildlife Aid we quickly started on the 9am feeds. On peering at the feeding charts I noticed we had baby mice in and Mike suggested that I get on with feeding them. I happily jumped at the task, feeding any kind of baby orphan is such a touching experience.

Further examining the board I noticed the cage contained 4 baby mice and 1 vole, and I immediately got to work. On opening the lid I was greeted by an upsetting sight, unfortunately one of the mice had died overnight, but the other three where eagerly scurrying around waiting for their feed. After removing the dead baby I filled a tiny pipette with esbilac and scooped out the first baby. He was so thirsty he completely chewed away the end of the pipette! Feeding baby mice is such a joy, sitting in the palm of your hand they wrap their little toes around the pipette and suckle frantically with their tongues.


Moving onto the second mouse Goff appeared and warned me that one of them did actually bite, but I loved feeding them so much I barely took notice of his warning. I moved onto the third little mouse. He happily started feeding and I let out a little sigh that they had all been so easy. But as I was re-filling the pipette I felt a little nip on my hand, not once, but twice! The little devil! It wasnt enough to hurt, but I did let out a little yelp in suprise!


Next I moved onto the vole, on first inspection he didn't even appear to be in the cage but after rummaging around I discovered him buried in the blanket. I went to scoop him up and he quickly scampered off, he was deifnitely going to be more of a challenge. I finally managed to grab him enclosed within the blanket with just his nose peeking out. I gently persuaded him to feed from the pipette and he soon took to it easily. With his feeding done I decided to clean the cage out as well. I cupped the little vole in my hands while Donna and Mike help set up a new cage. I suddenly felt a nip on my finger and let out little cry. The little monster had drawn blood! But just looking at his adorable furry nose covered in little whiskers I soon forgave him. How could you not love such an adorable baby? From then on each hour I happily fed the little furry babies, you get such enjoyment knowing you are helping to raise such a tiny helpless animal.


As 12pm approached Sally mentioned the hoglets in the orphan room were due for a feed, and myself and Donna quickly volunteered ourselves. At this age their spikes are still relatively soft, so they are easy to handle, they also don't have a fear of humans so they don't roll up into a prickly ball. Instead, cupped in your hand they happily suckle on a soft teat syringe. Their tiny feet gently push against your hand as they feed. They are absolutely adorable. As a child hedgehogs had always been a favourite animal of mine, so to get the opportunity to feed a tiny hoglet is just incredible. It is just so heart warming!

So I have just discovered another competition...held by worldwide experience I could be the voice of conservation! The competition offers one VERY lucky person the chance to win two months at the Shamwari game reserve, boasting the big five it could be a life changing experience. So I put together my entry. A simple heart filled e-mail about myself, how I contribute to animal conservation and what it would mean to me to win.

It would be so incredible. I could finally put my heart and soul into something so worthwhile. I love talking about wildlife and what I have done through my experiences, and this could provide me with such a great opportunity to do that. It would be a dream come true and I could at last work alongside the big cats of Africa!

I have crossed my fingers, my toes and even my ears (if thats even possible!) and now I just need to play the waiting game, the closing date is 6th of August so just under 3 weeks away.... I have put so much passion into my work at wildlife aid and my degree, and it would be incredible to finally get where I wanted!

You can read more about the competition here

Please wish me luck!

The WHF, Wildlife Heritage Foundation, is a big cat sanctuary in Kent. Run for the purposes of conservation it is home to a huge array of wonderful cats. On first arriving for my volunteer day I walked past the lion enclosure. 3 mighty males sprawled out and relaxed in the sun. I let out a little gasp. They were amazing.

On signing in for the day we were quickly assigned tasks, I was in the group woodchipping around the tiger enclosure. A few people giggled as we were warned of Bruno's habit of spraying volunteers. We immediately got to work.

Down on my hands and knees at the edge of the enclosure I suddenly heard a shout 'he's gonna spray!' With a little yelp I jumped out of the way, but not fast enough! He had just caught my shoulder, leaving me with the glorious smell of tiger pee for the rest of the day. But not many people can say they got peed on by a tiger!

Shoveling woodchip around may sound basic, but it is seriously hard work, with blisters from wheelbarrows and each shovel of chippings getting heavier it takes its toll. But seeing the new path emerge gives you a great sense of achivement. Plus working alongside big cats is just fantastic.


As the end of the day approached with red raw sunburn and smelling of pee we looked back on our hard work. The enclosure had a beautiful new woodchip path and even with blisters on my blisters it really felt worth it. We had made a difference! If you get the chance I definitely recommend the volunteer day at WHF.


At the end of the day we were given a tour of the cats. From the tiny Pallas cat, to the shy cheetah and even the mischevious tigers, they were all incredible, and here are just a few of my snaps from the day.







You can read more about the WHF here