Centre 'heartbroken' to stop bird of prey rescues

A wildlife sanctuary is to stop rescuing wild birds due to financial pressures.

Sharandys Birds of Prey, based in Vurlands Animal Farm in Swyre, Dorset, had been rescuing wild birds for more than 20 years.

But it announced it could no longer provide the service due to rising costs.

Centre owner Sharon Cox said the move was "heartbreaking" and "one of the hardest decisions" they have ever had to make.

Cox, who runs Sharandys with her son Matt, said: "I've been rescuing birds most of my life, and raptors for over 20 years. I don't think we've ever said no before, and that's why this hurts so much.

"But we cannot allow our own birds to be affected by rescuing. Where do you draw the line?

"The thought that there are going to be birds out there now that we can't rescue, that won't make it or will suffer... it's heartbreaking. It really is."

Cox highlighted the recent rescue of a tawny owl from a chimney that involved a 128-mile drive: "Everything is self-funded and it can be hundreds of pounds for a single bird by the time you factor in fuel, vets and food.

"One year it cost us over £5,000 to rescue around 50 birds. That's not money you just have lying around.

"You can get a call that's two hours away. You look at the fuel in the tank and think, how are we going to do this?"

The centre, that is home to dozens of birds of prey, relocated to Vurlands Animal Farm from its previous base in Somerset last year.

That decision was linked to government changes to the way animals are cared for.

You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X, or Instagram.