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Volunteers join RSPCA’s Big Help Out campaign
'Wildlife Friends' pledge their time on and before 8 May to complete small tasks to support, nurture and protect wildlife.
The initiative invites people to pledge their time to help local wildlife.

To mark the King’s Coronation, volunteers are dedicating time to support the wildlife in their local area as part of the RSPCA’s Big Help Out campaign.

So far, more than 500 people have signed up for the campaign which was launched on 20 March. By getting involved in the initiative, 'Wildlife Friends' pledge their time on and before 8 May to complete small tasks to support, nurture and protect the wildlife in their local or wider community.

Volunteers are encouraged to take part in activities such as organising a litter pick, putting food out for hedgehogs, building nest boxes for wild animals and rewilding gardens.

RSPCA chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “We are recruiting ‘Wildlife Friends’ to give people the chance to join thousands of others making a difference at the Big Help Out on May 8.

“We all share our neighbourhoods with wonderful wildlife and we need to protect them - so by becoming an RSPCA Wildlife Friend, animal lovers can join with their community to make a safe space for the animals who share our world.”

RSPCA head of volunteering Brian Reeves added: “We can all do our bit for animals and ‘Wildlife Friends’ is great for anyone who can spare a few minutes or a couple of hours. These things will all make a huge difference for wild animals, and their welfare - and we’re hoping even more amazing volunteers join us as part of the Big Help Out between now and May 8.”

Those interested in getting involved with The Big Help Out, can find more information on the RSPCA’s website.

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Reporting service for dead wild birds updated

News Story 1
 The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has updated its online reporting service for dead wild birds.

The new version allows those reporting a dead bird to drop a pin on a map when reporting the location. It also includes a wider range of wild bird species groups to select from when describing the bird.

The online service, which helps APHA to monitor the spread of diseases such as avian influenza, can be accessed here. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NI chief vet urges bluetongue vigilance

Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer (CVO) has urged farmers to be vigilant for signs of bluetongue, after the Animal and Plant Health Agency warned there was a very high probability of further cases in Great Britain.

There have been 126 confirmed cases of bluetongue virus serotype 3 in England since November 2023, with no cases reported in Northern Ireland. The movement of live ruminants from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is currently suspended.

According to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the virus is most likely to enter Northern Ireland through infected animals or germplasm (semen or ova) being imported.

Brian Dooher, Northern Ireland's CVO, said: "Surveillance for this disease within Northern Ireland has been increased to assist with detection at the earliest opportunity which will facilitate more effective control measures."

Farmers should report any suspicions of the disease to their private veterinary practitioner, the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or their local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.