Orphaned wildlife in the Burnham-On-Sea area will soon have a new crèche with the launch of new facilities at a wildlife centre.

Secret World Wildlife Rescue at East Huntspill says work is well underway on their new orphans centre which will be ready in time for early spring arrivals, such as baby hedgehogs and young badgers.

Keith Weston, Head of Facilities at Secret World, says: “Most of our orphan rearers are staff or volunteers at Secret World, and the babies can’t be left alone while their carers are on site. The new area will be a space for wildlife babies who need 24-hour care to stay safe and warm.”

“We couldn’t make this project happen without the help of local businesses and volunteers. Somerlap and BSW Timber have generously donated all the timber, and volunteers have been hard at work getting the new facility ready in time for February, when we could start to see baby badgers needing our help.”

“We’ve constructed a wooden floating floor that sits above the original floor, and walls to enclose the area. Our next steps are to finish the plastering and the electrics, and fit out the room with units including sinks, workstations, swift boxes, and a special unit for fawns.”

The charity has this week appealed for the public’s support to equip the new facility with incubators, sterilisers and feeding equipment.

Secret World has taken in 1,177 wildlife orphans this year – from baby birds whose mothers have been killed by cats, to baby hedgehogs separated from their mothers when their nests were disturbed.

These abandoned creatures are hand-reared by dedicated volunteers who care for the orphans 24 hours a day, until they are weaned and ready to begin their rehabilitation so they can return to the wild and have the chance of a natural life.

These foster mums and dads have the skills to give orphaned badgers, hedgehogs and owlets the best chance, but they need the right facilities and tools for the job, which is where the new orphan room comes in.

Kevin Bond, Managing Director of Somerlap, which is supporting the project, said: “It is wonderful to hear about the progress Secret World are making on the orphan room, which will be in great demand during the spring. Everyone at Somerlap is looking forward to visiting the facility when it is completed and meeting some of its occupants.”

You can support Secret World’s Christmas appeal to equip the crèche with incubators, bottle and sterilising kits online at its website.

 
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