Motorists Urged To Be Aware Of Wildlife (From Crewe Guardian)

Motorists Urged To Be Aware Of Wildlife

10:26am Monday 11th May 2009 in News

THE RSPCA is urging South Cheshire motorists to take extra care after its Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre has become inundated with orphaned ducklings.

Since April the centre has admitted 136 ducklings, a 25% increase on the same period last year, most of which were orphaned after their mothers were killed on busy roads while leading the newly hatched ducklings from their nests to water.

The centre is expecting many more ducklings to come into their care over coming months and staff anticipate that, if the current trend continues, they will care for well over 600 ducklings this year.

Centre manager Dr Andrew Kelly is now appealing to motorists to take more care on the roads and be extra vigilant to wildlife.

He said: “Every year we receive around 500 mallard ducklings, most of which have been orphaned due to their mothers being the victims of road traffic collisions.

“Mallards tend to nest away from the water and lead the ducklings to the nearest water as soon as they hatch, which is often some distance away, leaving them vulnerable when they cross busy roads.

“Although the mothers can fly the ducklings cannot, so she stays with them to protect them, often resulting in her own death.

“When the orphans are brought to us they need a safe environment and the correct diet to thrive.

“Around 90 per cent of the ducklings we treat are released back in to the wild around August to September and we know from their leg ring data from the British Trust for Ornithology that their survival rate is very good.

“We would urge all motorists to take extra care on the roads, be vigilant and hopefully help stem this rising tide of casualties.”

Of the 136 ducklings admitted in April, seven have since died and a further three have been euthanased on veterinary advice to prevent further suffering.