The RSPCA is preparing for its busiest month of the year as it reveals that calls about wildlife from people in the South East of England peaked at more than 5,000 last June.
The RSPCA received more than 204,974 calls about wildlife in 2018 across England and Wales last year; with 33,540 of those from the South East alone. Nearly half (93,097) of all the calls were received in the peak summer months May (28,211 calls), June (34,651) and July (30,235), the height of the breeding season for many wild animals.
On the Isle of Wight, the RPSCA received 784 calls about wildlife in 2018 with 144 of those calls coming in during the month of June.
Evie Button, the RSPCA’s Scientific Officer, says:
“May, June and July are our busiest months for wildlife, so our officers, centre staff and volunteers are flat out at this time of year.
“Caring for young animals at our wildlife centres can be a round-the-clock job. Some of the most vulnerable animals need to be hand-fed every few hours, even through the night.
“From newborn fox cubs which have lost their mother, to injured blackbirds or tiny orphaned ‘hoglets’, the RSPCA is very busy caring for and rehabilitating animals so they can hopefully be re-introduced to the wild.”
To help wildlife in the garden this summer you can:
- Put out fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing,
- Take care using lawn-mowers or strimmers and keeping pesticides out of reach of animals.
- Tidy away unused sports and garden netting to prevent animals to tangled
For more information about what to do if you find a wild animal in need of help, visit the RSPCA website.
To report concerns about an animal, please call the RSPCA 24-hour hotline on 0300 1234 999.
