THE dale’s largest animal sanctuary is no longer taking in rescued wild birds because of fears over avian flu.
Wetheriggs Animal Rescue and Conservation centre operator Terry Bowes says wild birds, particularly along the coast, have been decimated by the disease.
Wetheriggs is home to more than 500 birds.
Mr Bowes said the decision was taken last week in consultation with officials from Defra.
He added: “It is very frustrating. We try to give advice when people find injured birds. Vets are helping out, but they have the same problem in that they already have birds in their care.”
The problem had become so bad, Mr Bowes said, that Defra can’t keep up and are hoping that herd immunity would eventually kick in.
He added: “Mostly it is on the coast – a third of the sea bird colonies have been wiped out. From Berwick to Yorkshire it is decimating the wild birds.”
The last bird to be taken in by the centre was a kestrel with a dislocated wing which had been left outside the sanctuary by an unknown person.
The bird is being kept in isolation and will be released into the wild after its wing is fully recovered.
The centre has also started feeling the knock-on effects of the growing cost of living crises, with not only the cost of feeding and maintaining the more than 1,500 animals, but also in the number of abandoned pets they have taken in.
Mr Bowes said: “We have a double whammy. Feed prices have shot up. This time last year it was £5 a bag, now it is £12.50. We don’t do call-outs anymore [because of the cost of fuel], we ask people to bring the casualties to us.”
Apart from the kestrel, the centre has taken in a variety of injured creatures ranging from hedgehogs to a shrew.
Other animals that have been given to the centre because their owners can no longer afford their upkeep are rabbits, guinea pigs and tortoises.
Most recently three Horsfield’s tortoises were dropped off because the owner could no longer afford the extra heating they require.
These have been housed in Wetherigg’s reptile house which is currently undergoing refurbishment.
New floors have been put in and new shelves for the various vivariums for snakes, spiders and other creatures that require controlled temperatures are kept.
An unusual resident enjoying the warmth of the reptile centre is Vegas, a macaw with a nicotine addiction.
Mr Bowes explained the bird had lived with smokers for many years and began eating all of its feathers to get at the nicotine that had stained them.
While most of the feathers on its wings and back have regrown, its chest remains bare.
Once they have regrown Vegas will be returned to the aviaries where the other parrots and exotic birds are housed.
