Rescue centres overwhelmed with sick animals as heatwave hits wildlife
Wildlife rescue centres across England and Wales are overwhelmed by sick and dehydrated animals, including hedgehogs, deer and cygnets, amid the ongoing heatwave and drought.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Wildlife rescue centres in England and Wales are struggling to cope with a surge in sick and dehydrated animals as the summer heatwave and drought take a heavy toll on the country's wildlife.
At rescue centres in Warwickshire and Norfolk, staff say they have been inundated with animals needing urgent treatment. Hedgehogs, deer, owls and cygnets are among the most vulnerable, with many found starving or suffering from heat exhaustion.
In Nuneaton, Warwickshire, the BBC reported that each successive heatwave has brought in more animals. One hedgehog, described as a "really good size" and in good condition, simply needed fluids and shade to recover. A fawn that lost its mother during the first heatwave was found exhausted and near death. The centre described the situation as "unprecedented" and said it was becoming overwhelmed by the combination of drought, heat and loss of habitat.
Elsewhere, habitats have been destroyed by fire, and with most of England and all of Wales officially in drought, the public is being urged to help. Simple measures like leaving out shallow dishes of water or creating small ponds can make a difference. At one site in the Yorkshire Dales, a pond has become a daily stop for hares and deer, which would normally get moisture from their food.
The RSPCA says it has seen a huge increase in herring gull chicks being brought in. In Norfolk, the charity reported a 30% rise in hungry and dehydrated hedgehogs arriving at its centres. One three-week-old hoglet weighed the same as a one-week-old should. Staff said the number of hoglets admitted had been unprecedented, with more than 500 animals taken in at one centre during June alone.
Other cases include seal cubs disturbed by beachgoers, swallows struggling to feed, and a malnourished owl needing tube feeding. Some cygnets were found covered in mud after the spring feeding an ancient pond dried up completely, leaving toxic silt. A digger was brought in to dredge the mud and a makeshift dam was built to retain what little water remains.
At Brandon Marsh in Warwickshire, an important wetland is not as wet as it should be. A frog will now have to travel much further to find water. Conservationists describe it as a "double whammy": hard ground and baking sun mean the invertebrates that many animals rely on for food become scarcer and scarcer.
Cooler weather is forecast for next week, but rescue staff say they are unlikely to be any less busy soon. The full impact of the drought on wildlife could take far longer to recover, even when the rain eventually arrives.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC One | ITV |
|---|---|---|
| Rescue centres were reported to be inundated with sick animals during recent heatwaves. | ||
| Habitats across the country were destroyed by fire. | · | |
| Hedgehogs, deer and signets were reported to be particularly vulnerable in high temperatures. | · | |
| The RSPCA reported a huge increase in herring gull chicks being brought in. | · | |
| Two-thirds of England was reported to be in drought. | · |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The BBC focused on the scale of the problem in the Midlands, particularly Warwickshire, using specific animal cases to illustrate the wider crisis. It stressed the need for public action, such as leaving out water or creating ponds, and highlighted the loss of habitats due to fire and drought.
- “It's been unprecedented.”
- “He was really struggling with the heat, so he's a really good size, it's a really great shape. He's in good condition, he just needed some fluids and some time in the shade to recuperate.”
- “Simple things like leaving out water, or as in this case in the Yorkshire walls, create a pond.”
ITV focused on the situation in Norfolk, giving statistical evidence of the surge in admissions and the specific effects on a village pond. It highlighted the emotional impact on locals and the lengths they went to in order to protect wildlife, while also stressing the long recovery likely needed.
- “for something this small the effects of drought are enormous”
- “The number of hoglets that we've had in have been unprecedented”
- “it's just never been like this at all”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.