Last updated at 12:40, Saturday, 15 November 2008

A kestrel, a barn owl, two tortoises, a swan, an as-yet-unidentified bird and more than 40 hedgehogs.

George Scott shows reporter Rosalind Gibb one of the hedgehogs being cared for at Knoxwood

And that’s just in the small ward of the hospital at Knoxwood Wildlife Rescue Trust, near Wigton. Outside, there are all kinds of birds and animals living side by side: a peacock wanders past red squirrels and otters; further up the hill are two majestic looking porcupines, a pine marten and a group of ferrets.

With some 200 creatures currently on its books – the open plan nature of Knoxwood means an exact number isn’t known – it is little wonder the centre is having to expand once more to cope with the demand.

Knoxwood, run by George and Isobel Scott and their daughter Emma, came into being more than 25 years ago, when George took in Chinese geese after his friend was unable to care for them.

Since then, it has evolved into a haven for injured wildlife, and in 2005 a hospital was opened, one of only two in the country.

This year it is baby hedgehogs who are taking up the most room in the hospital, casualties of the cold, wet summer.

“They are too small and weak to hibernate, and will starve to death in their sleep,” explains George Scott. “We will keep them alive through winter, keep them fed and we are keeping the lights on 12 hours a day. When they are released, they will probably be fitter than the wild ones.

“We’ve got planning permission and an extension is on the cards. We will build a hedgehog hospital first.”

The existing hospital has an operating theatre, where wildlife can be treated for injuries such as broken legs or beaks, or hypothermia. Any invasive surgery is carried out by local vets.

There is also a recovery ward and a decontamination room to clean oil-contaminated birds, with a pressure shower and a filter to stop oil getting in the sewage system.

After the animals have recuperated in the ward, they are moved outside. There are animals and birds everywhere, some in enclosures, some ambling around the grounds.

George’s three dogs, Meg, Baldrick and Sam – who were all nursed back to health after surviving appalling cruelty – wander round with us, happily co-existing with all kinds of wildlife. George agrees that in among the noise and chaos, there is a certain harmony at Knoxwood: “These days if the dogs see a rabbit running across, they just watch it run. They won’t go after it.”

The aviaries are home to tawny owls, kestrels, crows, seagulls and pigeons.

“People are often intrigued about all the different types we have, but we don’t decide what’s on the agenda,” says George. “We will take everything from sparrows to a peregrine falcon,” George says, pointing at a handsome falcon that was brought here after someone attempted to poison him. There’s also a marsh harrier, brought in after it had been shot at.

“We care for them for the rest of their lives if need be,” says George. “I do get tears in my eyes when I see them get better. It’s more than just bonding with the animal, it’s a feeling of ‘look at what we’ve done. This creature would have been dead if we hadn’t helped’.”

They now operate a ‘soft release’ system. “We used to take animals back to where they came from, but we now have gateways on the aviaries,” he says, demonstrating one such contraption on an aviary currently home to several crows. “This means they can leave when they are ready to, but we leave them open so we can pop back to Knoxwood for a night if they need food. That way they don’t get stressed or strained because they know they can return.”

This soft release method is used throughout the sanctuary. A badger is in an enclosure built around an earth floor, for example, so he can tunnel underneath and leave when he’s well enough.

Not all of the animals are here because they were injured however. A roe deer called Rocky was orphaned when he was just two days old. His mum was run over and killed, and he was found in the middle of the road. He has been here since Easter, and will probably be here for good.

That Knoxwood keeps going is thanks to public generosity – about 80 per cent of its funding comes from donations – and the tireless work by George, Emma and a small band of volunteers, including those that work at Knoxwood’s charity shops in Egremont, Silloth, Wigton, Brampton and Carlisle.

The number working at the sanctuary varies from day to day and depending on the time of year. At any one time there might be people doing their Duke of Edinburgh Award, students on placements, and people doing community service. “We also have people with phobias, or who are frightened of dogs or birds, or need some confidence building,” adds George. “Animals are great for giving love and affection, and I think this place does as much for people as it does for animals.”

When it’s light, George starts at 5am and finishes at 11pm. But often he will be woken up in the middle of the night – people arrive at all hours with injured animals. “It is a 24/7 job,” he says. “I don’t get holidays. Well, we had three days this year,” says George. “But I haven’t had a week’s or a fortnight’s holiday for 25 years.

“But it’s what we do. I’d rather not get up at 4am, and I do sometimes think, what the hell am I doing this for, especially after a few days on the trot. But when you see an animal needs care, all that gets forgotten.”

Visit www.wildliferescue.org.uk for more information or to make a donation.

First published at 08:57, Saturday, 15 November 2008
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk