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Billy & Lilly after their bottle feed

April 25^th and 26^th

The weekend was a busy one with over 20 people here on Saturday from the People’s Trust For Endangered Species I gave them a talk and then a tour around the facilities and they all seemed to enjoy the visit There were several who had already been before and were surprised to see how we had progressed in such a short space of time.

I managed over the weekend to get the final signatories of the campaign against the culling of badgers off to the Welsh Assembly. The final total was 14,098 signatures so it should show them that there are a lot of people against the cull. If you would like more information, visit our www.blackandwhite.info site as sadly I think we shall have to remain active to bring this to everyone’s attention.

I left the badger cubs in the safe hands of Lisa and went to the Badger Trust AGM in Stafford. Sadly it was soon evident that the Welsh Assembly is hell bent on killing badgers. They are passing new legislation to allow cage trapping and shooting or lethal injection and also shooting of free running badgers. This is all in the face of robust science. Continue reading Pauline’s Blog – April 25th to 27th

The 'Bumble Bees' in the cubby hole

April 23^{rd –} Bedlam in the kitchen with all 8 cubs desperate for food but after a couple of hours feeding, clearing up and putting the washing on, everyone was asleep until the next feed! The new cubs have settled in well and I decided to move Ross, Elsa and Roly down to the Millie building so that they would have more room as they are now weaned.

That leaves the little bumble bees in the kitchen so the cubby hole is now home to Poly, Jonathon, Pudding and Pie and Little Miss Muffet. Yes, we’re going for nursery rhymes as the theme this year!

Another fox cub came in today and has gone down to join Todd and Mojo. I had a look when I went down to feed Hope, the otter cub and they were all snuggled up together. I thought I had lost Hope last night as I could not find her anywhere but she was curled up in the tunnel so I turned the heat lamp off that was over her box and put the lid down so that it’s nice and warm inside. She was curled up in the hay when I looked this evening so she will soon be able to move out to our otter enclosure which will give her a lot more room.

The deer that came in last night is looking good so hopefully she will be able to go back tomorrow. We have quite a few successes with deer this year so it just goes to show that it’s always worth a try. Continue reading Pauline’s Blog – 23rd & 24th April

Well my training is continuing well, with a few more miles chalked up since my last post.

As with most weekends, I was down in Exmouth at my fiancé Vicky’s home, and when Saturday morning greeted me with glorious sunshine I managed to drag myself away from my normal lie-in and instead laced on my trainers; I can definitely confirm my earlier suspicions that I am a fair weather runner! I had already plotted a loop that came in at around 1.3 miles, so it was just a question of how many circuits I’d do. Whereas a few weeks ago I was struggling to compete a mile without stopping 3 or 4 times, this Saturday morning I felt bright as a button as I completed the first lap, so continued round and finished what ended up being quite an enjoyable 2.6 mile run.

On Monday evening Simon again came out with me, and as per usual, he did a pretty good job of encouraging me to stretch my efforts. Again we were accompanied by Simon’s Great Dane, Rocky, and the three of jogged a very nice route taking in some road work and then a very nice stretch along the side of the River Huntspill and some footpaths across some fields. We were out running for around 40 minutes, which pleased me as at this stage just getting used to being on your feet running for a long period of time is essential. But when I got home and put the route into the website I use for measuring out my running routes (http://www.realbuzz.com/mapyourpassion/) , I was shocked to discover that we had run over 4.2 miles! Which made it my longest run by some distance!

I went out again on Wednesday night, and as I was still feeling a bit achy from Monday’s endeavours I started the run unsure how far I would go. But as I got into the run, everything started to ease and I ended up completing an enjoyable 3 mile run.

I can feel a definite improvement in my running, and can genuinely say that I am enjoying it… which is something I never thought I’d say!

We do still have some spaces available to run in the Bristol Half Marathon on behalf of Secret World Wildlife Rescue; and the quicker we fill these spots the more chance there is of us being able to book some more.

So don’t be scared – if you fancy the challenge of running a half marathon, and want to save the lives of wild animals in need please contact me ASAP.

Thanks

Jamie

The Tawny Owl is very fluffy at the moment!

Had a late call last night about two cubs that had been in a nest under a caravan that had been moved during the day in Newcastle Upon Tyne. Luckily the badger group member was prepared to watch until late at night to see if the female came back and moved them. She actually stayed in the caravan so was not in the way of the sow returning but eventually to stop the cubs getting too chilled they were finally taken into care.

It was another day with the Spring Watch film crew. They wanted to film the badgers being fed so were here at 8 a.m. to join in the bun fight. Gordon Buchanan was brilliant at cleaning out the pens and working with the cubs. I did offer him a job as an au pair but no take up!

Managed to catch up with a bit of paperwork after the filming but had a meeting this afternoon and then this evening went mad ! As well as birds coming in, a further 4 fox cubs were brought in – siblings to the two already brought in today. Then two small male badger cubs came in from Barton St David and they have joined Jonathon and Poly. I’ve names them Pudding and Pie. Paul Kite brought them in as well as an injured deer so that took some sorting out. We still have the roe buck in our deer unit so this deer has been put in the fawn loose box with a heat lamp. She will need to be assessed properly tomorrow.

Then a single female badger cub came in from Ashcott. She is very thin but pretty lively and yet to be named. All three new cubs joined in and fed on solids tonight with the others in the kitchen so everyone is all settled now and asleep.

A young tawny owl arrived mid evening as well as a young rabbit so Judith had a busy evening shift. Marie kindly came in to help and Helen, one of our volunteers was here for the evening so it was all hands on deck!

Would you be able to take the plunge!?!?!

If you fancy a definite challenge of mind and bravery, would you consider skydiving for Secret World Wildlife Rescue? One of supporters, Gemma, last year took the plunge and jumped on our behalf and absolutely loved it!

Skydive UK Ltd are based out of Dunkeswell Airfield in Devon, and will be able to organise the charity jump for you. Your commitment will be to raise a minimum of £395 in sponsorship, £145 of which will go to Secret World Wildlife Rescue. Of course, if you raise more than the £395, the extra will all go to Secret World!

For more information contact me via e-mail or call 01278 783250.

Thanks

Jamie