Dorset wildlife sanctuary forced to stop rescuing wild birds after 20 years
A Dorset wildlife sanctuary says it’s been forced to stop rescuing wild birds after more than twenty years, because of rising costs
A Birds of Prey centre in Dorset has announced it will no longer be able to rescue injured wild birds due to mounting financial pressures and rising costs.
Sharandys Birds of Prey, based at Vurlands Animal Farm in Swyre, has been rescuing and rehabilitating wild birds for more than two decades.
Sharon Cox, who founded and runs the centre, described the decision as “heartbreaking” and “one of the hardest” she has ever had to make.
“I’ve been rescuing birds for 25 years. I gave up my career to do it; it’s my love in life,” she said. “I saw the suffering in the wild and felt I had to do my bit. Knowing there will now be birds out there we can’t rescue is devastating.”
Sharandys is home to dozens of birds of prey, many of which cannot be released back into the wild.
Ms Cox said the cost of rescuing wild birds has continued to rise sharply, with the centre splashing out more than £5,000 every year to rescue around 50 birds.
“Everything is self-funded,” she said. “By the time you factor in fuel, vets and food, it can be hundreds of pounds for a single bird. You can only do that for so long before you start seeing the struggle.”
Her last five rescues have racked up over 900 miles on the tank. “Those costs quickly add up, and we’re at the point where there’s simply no money left,” she said.
Ms Cox added that the welfare of the sanctuary’s resident birds had to come first: “We cannot allow our own birds to be affected by rescuing.”
While the centre can no longer take in wild birds, Ms Cox said the emotional toll of stepping back has been immense.
“We can’t save every bird, but we can often end their suffering, and that’s a big part of rescue work,” she said. “Now there will be animals out there and we won’t be there for them. That’s a massive guilt we’re carrying.”
The announcement highlights the growing strain on independent wildlife charities, many of which rely entirely on donations as costs continue to rise.