Location
United Kingdom
Summary
There’s not an NHS for our precious wildlife, but the UK has an incredible network of wildlife hospitals. This project supports the work of Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue in the south of England. Full time, resident veterinary surgeons, with state-of-the-art equipment provide emergency care to our native bats, hedgehogs, foxes, badgers and much more. Secure and protected soft release sites allow managed reintroduction to the wild.
Who is behind it?
The Save Me Trust and Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue, an animal charity established by Queen guitarist and animal welfare campaigner Brian May, and Anne Brummer.
Why did we choose this project?
This work goes beyond critical care intervention: full time, resident veterinary surgeons have access to specialist equipment to provide life-saving support, but the programme also includes secure soft-release sites to reintroduce outpatients back into the wild in a safe and sustainable way.
How does it work?
The wildlife hospital is equipped with specialist equipment including x-ray machines, a fully functioning operating theatre and intensive care units. There are full time veterinary surgeons living on site, supported by a team of trained volunteers. The rescue has a network of secure soft release enclosures and sites for reintroducing outpatients into the wild.
What broader benefits does it bring?
The enormous amount of data collected and analysed by the team allows targeted education and early intervention to protect and support wildlife in its natural environment, reducing the need for emergency care.
How will we know it's working?
Wildlife patient numbers are carefully recorded and monitored, as are numbers of outpatient releases and long-term tracking of outcomes among released animals.
By the way...
The hospital is in a building once earmarked as a potential observatory for astro-physicist and Queen guitarist Brian May!
