Public urged to help as RSPCA predicts more baby animals will arrive at its East Winch centre

A West Norfolk wildlife centre is bracing itself for an influx of young admissions.

The RSPCA’s East Winch centre has already seen an increase in its numbers as the breeding season kicks in and the RSPCA charity in general says it is expecting a “huge rise” in admissions nationwide.

New figures from the charity show the East Winch Wildlife Centre has seen a surge in baby wildlife intake - leaping from 1,255 in 2023 to 1,597 in 2024 - a 27% increase.

Across all of the RSPCA’s wildlife centres, the number of baby wild animals admitted to centres shot up from 787 in April to 1,356 in May - almost double in just one month - before eventually reaching a peak of 1,766 in July.

Visits to the charity’s webpage offering advice on what to do if a baby bird is seen out of the nest also rocketed to around 1,000 daily in May and June last year and the RSPCA saw an overall 35% rise in all wild animal admissions in 2024 (10,209) compared to 2023 (7,520) to its facilities.

People in West Norfolk are being urged to help the charity by being “wildlife smart”. Those who find sick, injured or orphaned young animals which do need help, and are small enough to handle safely, are being asked to take them to a nearby vet or one of the RSPCA’s wildlife centres. Vets treat small wildlife for free but the public are urged to call ahead first.

RSPCA scientific officer Rebecca Machin said: “We see a sharp rise in the number of young wild animals coming into our wildlife centres at this time of year.

“From orphaned and sick baby hedgehogs and young rabbits, to fox and badger cubs, our centres are flat-out trying to care for the flood of babies. And it’s a growing problem, with a 35% rise in all wildlife admission numbers last year, compared to 2023.

“We know that animal lovers in Norfolk and the surrounding areas want to help where they can. That’s why we’re urging them to be wildlife smart this spring and summer. Successful rescues can be time-critical, so we are actively encouraging members of the public to take any orphaned or injured small animals that are safe to handle directly to a vet or to one of our four wildlife centres.

“We also urge the public to be aware that some animals who look vulnerable may actually be better left alone. Fledgling birds and young foxes are often being watched over by their parents, and don’t need help from us. We have more advice on our website on when to step in.

“Our videos explain how to handle and rescue small wild mammals and birds safely and are great resources for people to understand and share.”

You can find more advice on what to do and where to get help at: www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/wildlife/birds/baby