05/02/15 - A very worthwhile cause

Last year one of our long term volunteers, Jean Thorpe, was awarded an MBE (full story here) for her voluntary services to wildlife rehabilitation and wildlife crime. Jean is an Accredited Raptor Rescue Rehabilitator and works tirelessly looking after and rehabilitating sick and injured wildlife and getting them back into the wild. Living and working in North Yorkshire – sadly the UK’s worst known raptor persecution blackspot, Jean unfortunately gets informed of birds that have been shot, poisoned or trapped and left to die a slow and agonising death. Birds of prey such as Buzzards, Goshawks, Sparrowhawks and Red Kites seem particularly targeted.

 One of last years Buzzards - now back in the wild

Last week Jean was informed of a Kestrel that had been shot in the leg near Melbourne – possibly one of ‘our’ birds that the team here have worked hard to help by building and putting up countless boxes. After posting about it on Twitter, Jean found a reply from Raptor Persecution asking for details of her funding page – there was no such thing – however, following their suggestion Jean has now set up a ‘gofundme’ account to help her with her work, the money raised will be used to build a new aviary for the birds whilst they are in her care. 

 Last weeks Melbourne Kestrel - hopefully he'll pull through

Last year throughout 2014 Jean cared for 99 injured raptors, including 43 Tawny Owls, 19 Barn Owls, 8 Little Owls, 11 Buzzards, 9 Sparrowhawks, 7 Kestrels, 1 Peregrine and 1 Red Kite – 53 of these birds were released back into the wild – an amazing achievement and something to be proud of. Jean works solely on donations or by trying to fund food and treatment herself, to support Jean and the work that she does click here - http://www.gofundme.com/ldjuu8. Jean’s target was a modest £500 – an amazing £1,230 has already been donated in just two days – how fantastic for Jean to know her work is appreciated and that others care. We’re proud to have you as part of the LDV Team Jean, thank you for all that you do and just for being you!

 Peregrine ready for release