Wildlife sanctuary swamped with demanding orphans

The blind and helpless four newly-hatched starling chicks have sought shelter at Selby Wildlife Rescue following their near death experience.

But they are not the only new arrivals at the rescue centre.

In just the space of a few days nearly 20 orphans – of all shapes and sizes – have swamped the sanctuary.

Among the new arrivals are nine mallard ducklings, a gosling, baby blackbirds, a wood pigeon, collared doves and even a racing pigeon, which was discovered grounded in Leeds following a race to France.

The centre also received a phone call earlier this week about a tiny fox cub who was stranded on the busy Barlby bypass.

Manager Annette Pyrah said of the starlings: “The babies were totally blind and helpless but are now doing really well. They require hand feeding every 30 minutes.

“We have been overwhelmed with wildlife orphans.”

The latest new arrivals are having a big impact on the centre’s ability to cope with their daily demands.

Ms Pyrah said the orphan season was set to continue for a few months and the centre is now appealing for donations to help cope with the increasing strain.

The centre recently hit the headlines after taking in 30 hedgehogs when the River Ouse burst its banks in York earlier this year.

Among them was prickly customer Noah who was washed from his nest where he was hibernating and battled against a bout of pneumonia.

Ms Pyrah added: “We are so busy at the moment, but our funds have run low with the 30 hedgehogs which we cared for over the long winter.

“We need to raise money to buy more accommodation for these orphans, pay vet fees and pay for food and medication.

“We are only a small charity but work extremely hard helping wildlife.”

For more information visit www.selbywildlife.co.uk.

Since the beginning of the economic downturn there has been concern about domestic animals being abandoned at animal shelters.