I may be jetting off to South Africa in just over a month, but the babies at Wildlife Aid still need caring for in the meantime!
I eagerly rushed in on Monday morning to see what new babies were waiting and was thrilled to see the baby squirrels had been moved from the orphan room into ICU. 5 little monsters all clambering over one another munching on corn on the cob. Mike then pointed towards the corner at a smaller cage, and waiting inside were 4 tiny little mice! Their feed was due at 9, so I quickly got to work making up some esbilac (milk substitute for mammals).
I was thrilled to see the mice were doing very well, normally at this very young age they are so hard to hand rear, but these guys were eagerly clambering over one another. I offered them the tiny pipette and they quickly started feeding, I was having no trouble with these babies! They continues suckling until their little bellies were full, I then had to toilet them. Trying to hold these tiny babies still while dabbing them with slightly damp toilet roll is not easy, but eventually it worked.
Next up it was the monsterous squirrels, they were still friendly at this age, but were just on the edge of turning wild. With most animals you have to reduce human contact over time so they become wild again, but squirrels have the strange habit of turning wild literally overnight. One morning you could go in and have them happily crawling up your arm and down you back. But the next morning you will attempt to put your hand in and you will end up with a very painful bite and one very aggressive squirrel!
I quickly got to work with their morning feed, trying to grab one of these little babies while they are all trying to escape is rather difficult! Eventually I managed it and one by one began feeding them. Even though they were extremely eager to feed they didn't take much. They were obviously happily feeding themselves now, but still enjoyed 'mummies feed'. Its difficult not to get attached to these adorable babies, but knowing I helped get them back to the wild is a fantastic feeling.
I cant believe I have actually won! I still keep thinking I'm going to pinch my arm and wake up! A two month placement in the Shamwari game reserve is such an incredible opportunity! It could finally give me that experience I need to pursue a career in big cat conservation! It is just so amazing! This sort of thing just doesn't happen to someone like me! I just want to jump up and down and continuosly scream! AHHHHHHH!!!
I couldn't have done this without my friends and family! The support Ive had was just fantastic. And all our hard work paid off! I know many of you were up through the night trying to get the votes! I barely got any sleep over the weekend! I know how much effort my friends and family put into campaining for me and I am so grateful. You are helping me to follow my dream! I also had incredible support from everyone at Wildlife Aid, both Mike and Steve really helped me out!
I am also thrilled to say the other two finalists, Lynsey and Jade, were also offered a one month placement at Shamwari so we were all winners in the end! I'm sure they will go on to make a huge difference to conservation!
OMG I can't believe I made the top 3! Thanks so much to worldwide experience for choosing me as one of your top 3 to become the voice of conservation in their competition!
This wouldn't just be a two month holiday for me, this would be a huge leap in the right direction for my career. I would put so much heart, passion, love and feeling into being the voice for these animals. I really feel I could make a difference. I could help educate more people about conservation so people can become aware and hopefully feel encouraged to get involved themselves.
If you regularly read my blog you will now how much enjoyment I get from volunteering with wildlife aid. I have helped rescue ducklings, I have hand fed tiny mice and I have even released a swan back to the Thames. It is such an achievement helping Britains wildlife and to have the opportunity to work alongside the big cats of Africa would finally be a dream come true.....
My Entry:
Please please please help me make a difference to these incredible animals by sparing your vote for me.
On the 5th of August, Steve at wildlife aid got an urgent call to a swan that had crash landed in a garden. On arriving, the swan was not in a good state, it was bleeding badly from its mouth. Steve quickly rushed it back to the hospital for some tlc.
After a lot of love and warmth the swan was quickly on the mend and was able to move from the intensive care unit up to the pond area. The swan made a rapid recovery and was well enough to be released after only a couple of days.
As my usual Monday shift came to an end Mike asked if me and Kerry would be able to release the swan on our way home, I was thrilled at the idea. Seeing these animals go back to the wild makes everything so worthwhile. We would also be releasing a goose at the same time. Darcy quickly gathered up both animals and I placed them into my car. Kerry remained on the back seat so she could support the swans neck on the way to the Thames. Both the swan and goose remained relatively calm throughout the journey, they have specially made 'swan bags' which help minimise movement and prevent stress. We arrived in West Molesey at Hurst park, a beautiful area where fishing is restricted to help protect these amazing birds.
The swan was first to be released. At first I struggled to get the bag off the swan, but with a little wiggle he was finally free. With a touch of encouragement he made his way into the river and slowly disappeared downstream. The goose was up next. Kerry did a fantastic job and the goose was quickly away. Almost immediately on the river he was greeted by 4 more geese who seemed overjoyed to be re-united with one another.
Its a fantastic feeling to be able to take part in the release of such beautiful animals, it just goes to show all the hard work at wildlife aid really pays off! You can read more about the release on Kerry's blog: Searching for the rainbow one colour at a time.
*Warning: detailed images of serious animal injuries*
Today I got the opportunity to work alongside Lucy, the veterinary nurse for wildlife aid...
Around 11am a young fox was rushed into the hospital. It had got caught up in wire fencing and chewed through its leg to try and escape. It was in a mess. Its leg was covered with gaping open wounds.
Lucy quickly got to work. She started by gently loosening the skin around the wound, this would allow her to stretch the skin across the laceration. This was such a careful operation as many blood vessels run through the leg. Unfortunately she caught one of these, and the blood started flowing. Lucy quickly clamped the blood vessel and soon the the bleeding slowed and came to a stop. Her fast instincts had helped her quickly take control of the situation.
Lucy carefully pulled together the skin and closed up the wounds with perfect stitches. It looked impossible. The wounds had been so large and their was hardly any skin to pull over the wound, but she had managed it! Watching her work was like watching an artist paint a masterpiece. Her concentration and focus was just incredible. The finished product looked something like a painting by Picasso.
She quickly bandaged up the injured leg and administered some pain relief, now all we can do is wait... Hopefully the fox won't nibble through the stitches and so eventaully will be released with a brand new leg....
Conservation wouldn't exist without those charities that are doing something about it, they are on the frontline, rescuing animals in need, protecting our rainforest and preventing futher destruction of natures beauty. But they need YOUR help and support to keep doing this. Whether its making a small donation, buying something from their shop, adopting a tree, animal or piece of land, fundraising, or even volunteering, it's all extremely valuable to them.
So you know about conservation, but do your neighbours, family and children? Well let them know! Giving talks to a local school or community is a great way to get the word out, whether you do it yourself or get someone else to do it, its a fantastic opportunity to learn.
Contact wildlife aid to enquire about their informative presentations.
Why not read your children stories of wildlife at bedtime? Watership Down, Tarka the Otter, and The Butterfly Lion all make incredible reads.
3. Campaign.
So you are passionate about a certain aspect of conservation? Then let the world know! Flyers, posters and petitions are great way to get more people involved. Write letters to those repsonsible asking them to change. Start a group dedicated to your cause, facebook is a great way to do this. Run an event! More people can make a difference so get them together and show you care!
Why not switch off for climate change and join in with the WWF's earth hour.
4. Garden.
We often forget about the wildlife on our very doorstep and it ends up very neglected. With neatly trimmed borders and the erection of fences we are dramtically limiting what wildlife can make our garden their home.
Why not create a natural pond? It can provide an intricate habitat for animals and plants alike. Perhaps you could hang a bird feeder? During the winter months food can become scarce to find. Logpiles also provide a fantastic natural habitat, invertebrates and insects thrive where there is rotting wood. Hedgegrows and shrubbery are the prefect shelter for many animal species, and can also provide fantastic 'corridors' for safe movement.
Humans have caused the most destruction to our planet, now is the time for us to change!
Why not exchange those energy sucking lightbulbs for the more efficient type? It will help your bills too!... Thinking of driving to work? Swap the car for a bike and get some exercise!... Sending that rubbish to a landfill? Why not recycle it instead?...Packing your shopping with plastic? Why not purchase a bag for life?... Eat healthy?!? Less meat and dairy means a happier planet!
Remember....changing the way WE live is the most important way to help our world!
The WWF have some great advice on their website here.
Arriving for my normal Monday morning shift the hospital was full of life, baby birds eagerly chirping for their breakfast, hedgehogs sniffing at empty plates, mice exploring their cage and a HUUUGE terrapin!
The volunteers quickly got to work and I was thrilled that Mike suggested I get on with the mice. These were the same guys I hand fed a few weeks ago, so it was great to see them doing so well. Unfortunately one had been lost along the way, but the other two were fat and healthy. One was very easy to handle and would happily come to greet you as you went to clean them out, but the other was very timid, and perhaps a little crazy. It kept running in circles, darting around in an odd fashion, these guys were desperate for their freedom again. I approached Lucy about letting them go and was thrilled when she said I could do it myself. I would take them with me at the end of my shift.
As the day was in full swing a baby was suddenly rushed in, at this age it was difficult to identify, either a coot or moorhen chick, but it was in bad shape. Flopped on its side, its head kept rolling back, it was a miracle it was still alive. Mike quickly rushed to aid the poor little baby. He was desperate to bring to bring it back from the brink, first he started administring lectade, life's little miracle. Lectade is a re-hydration fluid that works wonders on a whole array of problems. Next he tried to get some food into the little chick, delicately opening the babies beak we gently encourage a mealworm into its mouth. But it wouldn't swallow. Mike began to panic. Now he was fearful it would choke to death, we gently pulled the mealworm back out of its throat. We decided a bit of peace and quiet would be best for now, then to try feeding again later. We placed the baby on a warm wheatbag in a nest with a second chick.
After an hour passed the chick was still with us so Mike decided to try and get some mealworm juice into the little guy. He spent the next 20 minutes squeezing tiny mealworms with tweezers, not an easy task! He was so determined to help this baby survive. With a tiny pipette Mike administered the mealworm juice and placed him back in the nest. It wasn't long before you could see it working. The chick was now chirping along with its other nestling, and could sit up properly. Mike had worked a miracle! It was so great to see that his hard work had really helped.
As the end of the shift was approaching I peered back in to see how the little chick was doing. I was thrilled to see it peering back at me, eyes wide and bright, and looking much healthier. I was definitely going home with a grin on my face. And to make things better I still had the mice to release! I gathered them up in their cage, quickly said my goodbyes and secured them in my car.
After driving a couple of miles up the road I noticed a beautiful woodland area. Perfect. No pet cats that would mistake them for a tasty snack. I sat their cage down and gently lifted off the lid. I tilted the cage to the floor but the little mice didnt want to leave! I pulled out their blankets to try and encourage them on their way. The more timid one was first to go, his movement was awkward and he seemed confused, but I crossed my fingers for him, brought in as an orphan he had never known freedom, so hopefully this would do him good.
The second mouse was more difficult to send on his way, as he ran straight back towards me. This much open space must seem so daunting now, but he had so much freedom waiting. I gently encouraged him into the wild, but he ran straight back towards his blanket, this was the only thing he had known as home. I quickly packed everything away, so he couldn't hide and he soon ran off into the woodland.
I was thrilled so see them go, and I really hope they live long, happy lives. To see these little creatures arrive at wildlife aid as orphans, with their eyes still closed, to now venturing back into the wild, its an incredible feeling that I am so glad I was able to be part of.
