East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service

East Sussex WRAS Objectives

1	24 Hour Rescue Service
2	Facilities for Rehabilitation
3	Education & Training

	24 Hour Rescue Service

	To operate a 24 hour rapid response rescue and an ambulance service, primarily for wildlife and primarily in East Sussex and Brighton & Hove Unitary Authority areas. Ways of carrying out objective 1. WRAS operates a 24 hour emergency service able to deal with the initial response, first aid, and stabilisation period of veterinary casualties. The main ambulances are equipped and sign written. Further ambulances are planned. Currently there are 10 volunteer rescues and/or carers able to deal with varying types and levels of casualties. WRAS is constantly seeking to recruit more. Volunteers use their own vehicles and carry basic equipment provided by WRAS. Some of our volunteers have experience as veterinary nurses or working in veterinary environments. All our volunteers are encouraged to work with and built-up close working relationships with veterinary surgeons and practices. WRAS operates a rescue phone line - 07815 078234 - which is switched on 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. WRAS has identified a need for ambulance and rescue support within the county and provides an on-call service for varies organisations and individuals including, the Fox Project, the National Fox Welfare Society, the Save Our Seabirds Network, the Mid-Sussex Badger Protection Society, the Southdown Badger Protection Society, National Swan Sanctuary, British Divers Marine Life Rescue, International Animal Rescue, Care For The Wild International, Rapture Rescue, Sussex Bat Hospital, Kit Wilson Trust, Raystede Animal Welfare Centre, Folly Wildlife Rescue Centre, as well as dealing with calls passed on from the RSPCA, Sussex Police local veterinary centres and local authorities.

	Return to the top

Facilities for Rehabilitation

To provide/support appropriate facilities for the rehabilitation, care, treatment and release of wildlife casualties.

Ways of carrying out objective 2:

WRAS is continually expanding and reviewing its network of veterinary contacts across its area of operation to treat casualties. WRAS covers the cost of veterinary treatment when dealing/responding to wildlife call-outs. WRAS will not pay for the cost of wildlife casualties that members of the public take direct to veterinary centres or that are passed to WRAS from a veterinary centre.

WRAS has identified a substantial lack of facilities within East Sussex and Brighton & Hove. WRAS, through a small number of its members and contacts, has and will continue to built up facilities to accommodate casualties whilst they are receiving medication or rehabilitation before being returned to the wild.

WRAS supports other individuals and groups interest in wildlife welfare, particularly where they are able to provide specialised resources or take "overflow" casualties from WRAS.

WRAS has already provided the following resources:

-	Provide transportation and treatment containers at Peacehaven.
-	Built a holding/treatment/rehabilitation pen capable of taking badgers and foxes at Woodingdean.
-	Provided a temporary release pen at Peacehaven for the rehabilitation and release of orphaned foxes.
-	Provided a temporary rehabilitation pen at Hailsham for the rearing of orphaned seagulls prior to release.
-	Provided an aviary for the rehabilitation of sea birds in Eastbourne.
-	Provided a shed and aviary at Woodingdean for the treatment and rehabilitation of a variety of wildlife casualties.
-	Provided a shed for the holding and initial treatment of casualties at Stone Cross, Eastbourne.
-	Provide copies of "Practice Wildlife Care" by Les Stocker MBE to VetCall Emergency Service and St.Annes Veterinary Centre.

Further projects are planned.

Return to the top

	Education & Training

	To promote wildlife assistance and provide education and training on wildlife rescue, welfare and conservation. Ways of carrying out objective 3. WRAS is frequently in the media promoting wildlife welfare and conservation. Through a regular newsletter WRAS educates/informs members about work undertaken by WRAS rescuers. It also gives advice and promotes wildlife friendly organisations and activities. Competitions have/are being organised with local schools providing materials and prizes to stimulate the students' interest in wildlife conservation and welfare. WRAS's logo was the result of a competition with a local secondary school. Members of the public who report casualties are given background information about possible problems, causes of problems and initial first aid information before an ambulance can arrive. Where necessary advice will be given to members of the public on how to prevent further casualties from happening. WRAS has even been involved in the removal of hazardous litter and materials which have caused casualties like tarpaulin embedded in the ground which a stag was rescued from and the reporting of oil spills and oil containers washing up on local beaches Through talks and slide shows WRAS up-dates and educates supporters groups, local clubs, societies, and other organisations as to the work of WRAS and about wildlife welfare. This has resulted in a Cage Bird Society helping with the rehabilitation of injured wild birds and the recruitment of volunteers. WRAS use these slide shows to educate people as to what is possible through wildlife rescue. Many members of the public think that nothing can be done to treat mange in foxes, and therefore do not report sightings or even attempt to help foxes which are suffering. Motorists frequently hit wildlife on roads and automatically assume that they have killed the creature and do not stop to check. We try to educate them that they should stop and check. Normally it is one of the following cars, which notices that the casualty is not dead and needs help. WRAS works closely with experts in a variety of specific wildlife fields. Working with organisations and individuals WRAS runs workshops and training sessions to help improve the knowledge and experience of our own rescuers. WRAS has also helped promoted wildlife care and awareness by giving talks to school groups, and having displays at varies locations including the Beachy Head Countryside Centre. WRAS has run workshops on Bat first-aid and assistance as well as sending several rescuers on training courses at the National Swan Sanctuary at Egham WRAS produces advice/awareness literature for use by members of the public, veterinary practices and other organisation. A "Red Fox" leaflet has been written with the help of the Fox Project. A "Poisons Information Pack" was produced by WRAS aimed at veterinary surgeons, pest control companies and animal welfare groups after four poisoned foxes were found. A leaflet on seagull problems was also produced. WRAS is also developing an interest in alternative forms of medication like Homeopathy and aromatherapy in conjunction with conventional medication. Practitioners from Helios Homeopathic Pharmacy in Tunbridge Wells advice WRAS the use of homeopathic treatments. Homeopathic medication is also paid for by WRAS. This has led to some casualties being treated on-site rather than being put through unnecessary stress of capture and treatment within a hospital unit.

	Return to the top