2024: Record-breaking admissions at wildlife hospital

Cuan Wildlife Rescue had 6,448 animals and birds admitted to the centre in 2024

A wildlife hospital charity in Shropshire says a record number of creatures were brought in last year.

Cuan Wildlife Rescue in Much Wenlock treated 6,448 animals and birds in 2024 - about 1,000 more than the previous year.

The centre manager, Mark Bott, said there were a number of factors, such as warmer weather at the start of the year, which meant animals bred earlier.

"Then the spring went cold, so they were struggling; insect numbers have been at a record low, so various different animals struggled to feed their young, and they came in to us," he said.

"We also had hedgehogs and other animals breeding through until late November."

"It's just unheard of."

The massive amount of animals brought in to the centre included about 1,700 hedgehogs and 90 deer.

One of 2025's first admissions is this cygnet that flew into a power line

"It can be quite difficult; we won't turn away animals that come in, but we can only afford a certain number of staff," he said.

To combat demand, the charity has submitted plans for a larger hospital building and bought a larger van, which Mr Bott said would not have been possible without fundraising.

The charity is dependent on donations from businesses and the public and needs to raise about £477,000 every year for day-to-day running costs.

"Going into 2025, we're in a position where we're going to be able to help larger animals, but also transport some of the other animals in a more appropriate method," he said.

The charity bought a new van to use in 2025

Despite 2024 being busy, it was certainly a memorable year for the team.

"Probably the most unusual admission we had in 2024 was a grass snake," said Mr Bott.

"This particular grass snake had got caught in netting, so we had it in and removed that, and the vet prescribed antibiotics for it.

"Overnight it actually laid 18 eggs. We incubated them and managed to hatch two. That's probably a good ratio from in the wild."