• Wildlife Rescue Cork (WRC) is a registered charity (RCN: 20205803). WRC was set up “to rescue, rehabilitate injured or orphaned wildlife in Cork and surrounding counties”, and with the sole purpose of releasing them back into the wild once successfully recovered. All our actions are geared towards these goals. We are 100% run by volunteers •
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• How to help wildlife in your area •
• Be aware that wildlife is never too far away from us. You don’t have to see David Attenborough pop out from behind a rock to know that wildlife is close. There are wonders all around us •
• Check wild areas before strimming. Hedgehogs get horrible injuries from strimmer and often die in agony, which is a pity as their appetite for slugs makes them a great help to the gardener •
• Cover in unused cattle grids •
• Cut hedges before or after nesting season •
• Don’t use slug pellets, many birds and hedgehogs ingest the pellets or get secondary poisoning from ingesting slugs that have eaten pellets •
• Leave out a shallow bowl of water for wildlife. If possible, use collected fresh rainwater. (No shortage of that in this area of the country) •
• Leave some of your land as wild areas to encourage wildlife. Although we love a manicured lawn, wildlife does not and they need all the help they can get. This does not have to be a large area. An overgrown grass margin would suffice. A corner with deadwood and leaves will also help •
• Clean your bird feeders regularly with disinfectant and then rinse with water to reduce the spread of disease •
• Help your local rehabbers by donating food or funds. We are voluntary, but still need money for food, shelter and transport •
• Nesting Season •
• It is illegal to cut hedges, hedgerows and vegetation during bird-nesting season, which runs from 1st March to 31st August. Reporting of illegal cutting can be made through the NPWS by sending an email to natureconservation@chg.gov.ie outlining your concerns and providing evidence where possible“Wildlife Act enforcement relies on evidence,”. NPWS: ‘Dates for the cutting of hedges are set down in primary legislation under the Wildlife Acts. Section 40 of the Act prohibits the cutting, grubbing, burning or destruction of vegetation, with certain strict exemptions, from 1 March to 31 August •
• Intervention •
• Some stranded, abandoned, orphaned or injured animals will need veterinary intervention, but what most need, is just a little shelter, food and some TLC to get them back on their feet or into the air. It is true that some that come our way still do not make it in spite of our efforts, but unless an animal is unduly suffering, we will give it our best shot •
• Get help when it is required as soon as possible from experienced rehabbers. Don’t wait a few hours or days. We are spread throughout the country and you can find a list of experienced rehabbers on the contact page •
• Veterinary Intervention •
• Whilst all vets are duty bound to care for injured wildlife it is only fair to acknowledge that not all practices would have the resources, time or space to deal with wildlife in a sustained way. However, it is our experience that there are plenty of practices in the Cork area that go above and beyond the call of duty in helping out and giving of their time. We are fortunate that we can help each other out when necessary •
• Under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005 vets have a duty of care to provide emergency care or euthanasia to any species of animal to relieve suffering, including the provision of this includes providing emergency care out of hours. It does not require the treatment to be provided free of charge’. Whilst we do acknowledge that not all practices have the resources, time or space to deal with wildlife in a sustained way, it is our experience that there are plenty of practices in the Cork area that go above and beyond the call of duty in helping out and giving of their time. We are fortunate that we can help each other out when necessary. They take casualties off us when veterinary expertise is required, and we take animals from them when critical care is over, and the rehab process starts before eventually being released back into their own environments, which is what it is all about •
• Vigilance •
• Be sure to check areas where unsuspecting wildlife can get trapped (Cattle grids, sheds, open drains, open food cans and bags, garden and football netting etc). Check all areas well before strimming or setting a fire. Hedgehogs love leaf piles, compost mounds, log piles and blend in really well so please check the area well before gardening. Our built environment can be a warzone for critters of all types •
• What can you do •
• When you contact WRC, you may be asked to bring the animal to one of our recommended vets or to Whitechurch •
• Please also understand that we rely 100% on donations from the public and do not receive any government or external funding, so a donation towards the care of the animal is sincerely appreciated •
• Please also remember when contacting WRC for help, that we are part time volunteers and we will get back to you as soon as we are able. However, due to time constraints we may not be in a position to respond to each rescue request immediately •
• All wildlife is kept under license from the National Parks Wildlife Service •
• Thanks so much for helping our Cork wildlife •
• (Team WRC) •
