LAST AUTUMN IT WAS THE TURN OF THE BWRC to host the annual British Wildlife Coalition Symposium. We chose the Deafblind UK Conference Centre in Peterborough - which we highly recommend as a fantastic venue and would like to thank the staff there for their wonderful hospitality! Thanks also to our excellent speakers and the hard work of committee members behind the scenes, the event ran smoothly and I am pleased to say that comments received were very positive – for more information see our report on the Symposium in this issue.

Since the symposium we are sorry to have lost two key members of our Executive Committee; in December our Vice Chair Kay Bullen, a long-standing member of the organisation, veterinary nurse, experienced hedgehog rehabilitator and stalwart of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, stood down from the committee in order to focus on the care of her elderly mother. In February I was appointed Vice-Chair to replace Kay.

Then, in early April, our ‘Jolly Woodsman’ Ray Jackson made the difficult decision to reduce his work load by relinquishing – reluctantly – his post after two and a half years as Chairman. I have therefore assumed the post of Acting Chair until a new appointment is made, and on behalf of the BWRC offer a heartfelt thanks to both Kay and Ray for their hard work and commitment, and we hope that they will both keep in touch and might resume active duty with us some time in the future.

Those of you involved in running charities may be aware of the recent launch of a new type of charity known as Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). The BWRC is considering changing from our current charitable association structure to this new model, which has been introduced to combine the relative merits of charitable status and incorporation, limiting liability of trustees

and removing the need for registration with Companies House (and the associated paperwork that this generates!). For more information on CIOs see the Charities Commission website.

In the mean time we will be supporting Ray and his team at Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital in their preparations for this year’s Symposium on Saturday 19th of October at Chelford Village Hall near Knutsford. Booking details to come soon in the Summer edition of this newsletter.

(Mrs!) Terri AmoryActing Chairman

in this issue ...Wildlife Coalition Symposium 2012

Welfare Establishments in Wales

Treasurer’s Report

BWRC Recording Scheme

Thorny Headed Worms Report

Delegate Feedback

FROM THE CHAIR

2

ACTING-CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

in this issue ...

WILDLIFE COALITION SYMPOSIUM 2012

THE WILDLIFE COALITION SYMPOSIUM 2012 was held on 6th October at the Deafblind UK Conference Centre in Peterborough. The coali-tion consists of the International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF), based on the Isle of Skye, Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital near Knutsford, Cheshire, and the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (BWRC).

The conference was opened by the Chair of the BWRC and Founder of Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital, Ray Jackson MBE. Ray described a little of the 21 year history since he took on the job as warden of Lower Moss Wood as an educational nature reserve and how a local landowner presenting him with two fox cubs led to the foundation of the wildlife hospital. Like many UK rehabilitators who have practiced for more than ten years, Ray has had to tackle the practical and ethical challenges of wildlife rehabilitation with little support or guidance, and admits to many mistakes along the way. He is now keen to pass on the benefit of his experience, and in his presentation stressed how the principles of rehabilitating wildlife differ from those of keeping domesticated animals. In particular he discussed how fear of humans and other natural predators (as well as recognition of animals of the same species) must be achieved for young animals and maintained in adults, even when the casualties’ needs must be met by their human carers in order to achieve a return to health and fitness. Although Ray feels that enrichment of temporary animal housing may be counter-productive in some circumstances, he has developed specific facilities at the hospital, including a baffled wind-tunnel design for the rehabilitation of bats which greatly increases the animals’ opportunities for exercise to promote muscle

WILDIFE IN THE UK AND BEYOND

strength and aerobic fitness prior to release. More information on the work of staff and volun-teers at Lower Moss Wood can be found on their website http://www.lowermosswood.org.uk.

The second speaker of the day was Lynn Miller, President of the International Wildlife Rehabilita-tion Council (IWRC), which is based in Oregon in the US. Though originally from New Zealand, Lynn settled in Quebec in Canada, where she has practiced wildlife rehabilitation for the last 25 years, and became President of the IWRC in 2011. Lynn described how legislation relating to the possession and rehabilitation of wildlife dif-fers from the UK (and also between states in the US and Canada) and has many fascinating stories to tell about her experiences as a rehabilitator, as well as her research into the impact of oil pollution on Northern Gannets through her posi-tion in the Chemistry department at Concordia University. Lynn is an instructor for IWRC’s Basic Wildlife Rehabilitation programme which is a two day exam based course. On completion of this course you obtain a certificate that allows you to apply for a permit to rehabilitate wildlife. The IWRC are working with organisations abroad to develop similar programmes outside of the US and Canada ( http://theiwrc.org).

Bea Ayling, Bat Advice Officer and UK Bat Care Network Co-ordinator for the Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) then spoke about the UK Bat Care Network – a list of bat carers across the UK that

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WILDLIFE COALITION SYMPOSIUM 2012

meet the BCT’s requirements of having gained experience of bat rehabilitation as a member of a local Bat Group and been vaccinated against rabies. Bea explained that there are not enough trained and vaccinated carers across the UK to deal with the casualties, and so the BCT is work-ing to encourage interested parties to join their local bat groups, gain experience and volunteer to join the network. Listed carers can then be contacted via the BCT’s Bat Helpline where a local casualty needs care. For more information see http://www.bats.org.uk/pages/batcare.html or e-mail bayling@bats.org.uk.

The midday session focussed on hedgehog rehabilitation with three speakers. Sue Schwar, founder of South Essex Wildlife Hospital (SEWH) gave an illustrated overview of the range of disease, injury and other reasons why hedge-hogs are brought in to the centre. She expressed concern that the public are sometimes slow to approach or rescue hedgehogs, leaving them to suffer for days before bringing them in, perhaps because they are able to conceal wounds by rolling up. Sue has also found that veterinary examinations are not always as thorough as they might be, with facial and skull injuries often being missed. As a result SEWH staff routinely anaesthetises hogs for examination (using Isoflu-rane gas)

Sue was followed by Dr Toni Bunnell who presented her work on factors attracting ticks to hedgehogs as part of the Ecology Research Group at the University of Hull. Intrigued by the preference of ticks for host hogs with pre-existing disease conditions (established through a 10 year study involving 226 wild hedgehogs), Dr Bunnell tested the affinity of the hedgehog tick Ixodes hexagonus for the chemical indole, which she found to be present in greater concentra-tions in the faeces of sick animals. Behavioural choice tests showed that ticks were attracted to indole rather than a solvent control, and also more attracted to faeces from sick hedgehogs than that of healthy animals, but not to healthy faeces with indole added, suggesting that the

mechanism of attraction to unhealthy animals is more complex than an attraction to faecal indole alone.

The third hedgehog presentation was given by Janet Peto, Treasurer of the BWRC and Founder of Hedgehog Welfare, based in the East Midlands. Janet described her discovery (through routine post-mortem) of heavy burdens of thorny-headed worms (Acanthocelphalids) in hedgehog casualties received in 2012. Animals exhibited symptoms of abdominal pain – walk-ing with the back hunched, and belly raised, restlessness and unusual levels of vocalisation. Treatment with a combination of anthelminthic (Levamisole), antibiotic (Synulox), pain relief (Metacam) has been found to be effective. Janet also recommends that gentle heat is provided from the side rather than underneath (because heat promotes worm activity) and ad lib feeding of a protein rich diet such as Royal Canin Veteri-nary Recovery.

After lunch, Kay Webb (Chairman) and Wendy Herman (Full-time warden and treatment Coor-dinator) described their experiences working for the charity Swan Lifeline. Founded in 1984 at the height of the problems water birds were expe-riencing due the use of lead weights by anglers, the work took place in private homes until Eton College allowed the charity to lease Cuckoo Weir Island (free of charge) in 1992. Facilities at the centre and typical injuries and treatments were described, along with some atypical case stud-ies. Kay’s work was recently recognised when she was invited by the Worshipful Company of Vintners (one of the two companies that retain ownership of our swans) to attend (and sit directly opposite Her Majesty at !) the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee lunch in Westminster Hall on the 5th June 2012.

The next presentation was given by Enric Fusté, co-founder of the Iberian Association for Swifts, Martins and Swallows. Enric has extensive experience of rehabilitation of these birds through the Torreferrussa [Centre for Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation] in Catalonia, North-

WILDLIFE COALITION SYMPOSIUM 2012

5

ern Spain, where they receive in the order of 800 Hirudinae casualties each year. Enric gave a detailed presentation on the various techniques that they use to deal with this group includ-ing housing, nutrition and imping of feathers (replacement of damaged feathers as practiced by falconers). Further information can be found (in English) at the web address http://www.falciotnegre.com/index.php/es/rehabilitacion/swift-care-seminar.

Following the afternoon break, Simon Cowell, Founder of the Wildlife Aid Foundation spoke about his experiences as a rehabilitator who has worked with ITV to make the TV series Wildlife SOS, first broadcast in 1997 on Channel 5. Origi-nally a ‘fly-on-the-wall’ documentary based on Wildlife Aid’s Leatherhead Veterinary Hospital, the show has been the subject of controversy amongst the wildlife rehabilitation community, some of whose members disagreed with the way that temporarily captive wild animals were, they felt, exposed to unnecessary levels human contact and interference through the presence of the TV film crew. After a brief presentation Si-mon invited questions from the delegates about this work, and a lively (but civilised!) debate took place, with Simon admitting that his own posi-tion on how animals should be used has evolved over time.

The conference was finished by members of

the BWRC and presenters who invited ques-tions on any related topic from the floor – issues discussed included difficulties with fundraising during economic recession. The chairman Ray Jackson also took a few minutes to describe his aim to re-launch the BWRC’s Casualty Recording Scheme using a computerised database, and asked for feedback from rehabilitators on how the records should be designed and volunteers from larger mixed rehabilitation centres to take part in initial trials of this scheme.

The Symposium 2012 was considered by the BWRC to be very successful, and feedback from delegates collected by the questionnaire on the day was very positive. The BWRC would like to thank all the speakers, our sponsors the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, the RSPCA and Spike’s World, and also Deafblind UK for the use of their super conference facilities.

Next year’s Coalition conference will be hosted by Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital at Chel-ford Village Hall, Cheshire on 19th October 2013. More details will be available on the BWRC’s website http://bwrc.org.uk/ or the Lower Moss Wood website nearer the time. If you would like to join the mailing list for the BWRC newsletter, please see our website www.bwrc.org.uk or write to BWRC, PO Box 8686, Grantham, NG31 0AG.

Terri Amory — BWRC

© BWRC

6

THE REGULATION OF ANIMAL WELFARE ESTABLISHMENTS IN WALES

THE CASE FOR THE REGULATION OF ANIMAL WELFARE ESTABLISHMENTS IN WALES

The Animal Welfare Act (2006)

WHILE THE ANIMAL WELFARE ACT PROVIDES A GENERAL FRAMEWORK for the protection of animals the provision for secondary legislation under this act allows for more detailed and specific measures than the primary legislation and can usually be passed by Parliament through a simplified, quicker process. The Welsh Government is able make more specific laws under secondary legislation where it is felt that it is needed. For example, the Welsh government has enacted regulations banning electric shock dog collars in Wales. The report produced by Animal Welfare Network Wales (AWNW) ‘The case for the regulation of animal welfare establishments in Wales’ is intended as a guide for the Welsh Government outlining areas of concern and possible solutions to a wide range of animal welfare issues and importantly is produced by the sector itself. The report can be downloaded from: http://www.awnwales.org/userimages/AWNW%20AWE%20Report.pdf

The regulation of wildlife rehabilitation establishmentsTHE HANDLING, TREATMENT AND REHABILITATION OF WILD ANIMALS has very different needs and outcomes from that of companion animals and the unique challenges of wildlife rehabilitation should be addressed separately in any regulation. This was one of many issues raised at a seminar on the 4th of June 2009 in Llandudno which marked the beginning of AWNW ‘sanctuaries’ working group.

It is fair to say that the overall feeling of the smaller member organisations was not necessarily to close badly run rescue centres but instead support them to improve standards, as well as ensuring that the proposals were fair and proportionate.

Some people will be against regulation for fear of the cost of licencing and inspections. I believe future regulation will have a positive impact on welfare and the attitude of other professions towards wildlife casualties by encouraging good practice through responsibility. The whole process should be taken more seriously and one day we could have quality accredited training for new rehabilitators and continued professional development for the more experienced rehabilitator. Evidence based standards should be at the heart of these training courses and the visibility of wildlife rehabilitation practitioners through regulation will enable effective collaboration and development

Simon Allen - Gower Bird Hospital

The Animal Welfare Network for WalesTHE AIM OF THE NETWORK is to facilitate effective communication between all animal welfare organisations within Wales. It became apparent early on in the network’s history that the lack of regulation of the animal welfare sector was a major concern, a concern expressed not only by the large national charity members operating in Wales but also quite strongly by the network’s small independent welfare organisations.

Animal rescue has grown in popularity in recent years with many new centres opening up, and although many focus predominantly on companion animals, wildlife rescue has become increasingly popular. This may be in part due to increased awareness through television programmes such as Spring and Autumn Watch, Animal 24:7 and perhaps influenced by social media networks.

TREASURER’S REPORT

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TREASURER’S REPORT - APRIIL 2011 TO MARCH 2012

At the AGM of 19th November 2012 the following accounts were presented and approved

INCOME AND EXPENDITURE1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012IncomeSale of Proceedings - Old £10.00Sale of Proceedings - New £ 3.00Contributions £550.00Membership £10.00Donations £0.00Bank Interest (Gross) £79.55

£652.55

Less ExpenditureTravel £908.02Postage £56.45Room Hire £131.00Administration and Legal Fees £37.80

£1133.27

£(480.72)

Profit/(Loss)Balance Sheet as at 31st March 2012Opening Reserves £7958.85Less 2011-12 £(480.72)

Closing Reserves £7478.13

The BWRC also holds funds on behalf of the Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition, representing symposium profits to 31st March 2012 to the value of £1,287.91 as a contingency fund.

THORNY HEADED WORMS

THORNY HEADED WORMS (ACANTHOCEPHALA)

BackgroundTHE ACANTHOCEPHALANS (THORNY HEADED WORMS) are a small and very distinct phylum, with 1000+ species, compared to other phyla such as the Nematoda (roundworms) which contain 26,000+ (described) species (Hugot, Baujard et al. 2001).

Although small in number, the acanthocephalans are among the most successful of the helminth parasites, utilising marine and freshwater as well as terrestrial and aerial vertebrate hosts. Thorny headed worms do not feature in many text books, despite their unique adaptations and success. This is probably because they cause little damage to their vertebrate hosts when compared to other parasites, and consequently they are of little economic interest. They may cause local damage to the intestine but are seldom the cause of any serious damage or death to humans or domestic animals (Kennedy 2006).

Thorny headed worms have similarities

with the flatworms, particularly the tapeworms, in that they do not have an alimentary tract or mouth. They absorb nutrients through their body wall (the tegument) as the nutrient-rich fluid of the host’s gut passes over them while they are anchored to the inside of the intestinal wall by their thorny proboscis. They have separate sexes and the males are smaller than the females. The spindle-shaped and thick-shelled eggs of the female contain a larva called an acanthor. The life cycle is indirect and all species use an aquatic or terrestrial arthropod intermediate host, often a crustacean. Paratenic hosts can also be used (a host in which no reproduction occurs, but is used for transmission between hosts). The arthropod is infected by ingesting the acanthor; this larva leaves the egg as an acanthella, which develops into a juvenile thorny headed worm known as a cystacanth. This is also known as the resting stage and may be encysted within the arthropod or paratenic host. It is at this point that the

parasite is infective to the final host. The definitive host eats the arthropod containing the resting cystacanth which grows to maturity in its alimentary canal. The prepatent period (after which eggs are found in faeces post infection) varies from 5 to 12 weeks (Taylor, Coop et al. 2007).

Thorny Headed Worms and Hedgehogs

Thorny headed worms in hedgehogs are seldom reported and infection may

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be under recorded. This is probably because:

1. The worms are more often found extra-intestinally in the hedgehog than in the gut, as these mammals are not its usual host.

2. The species identified in the UK does not reproduce in hedgehogs, so no eggs will be found in the faeces.

The worms can perforate the intestinal wall with their thorny proboscis and move into the peritoneal cavity, potentially causing infection by taking harmful bacteria with them. This behaviour can occur in the final as well as the paratenic host. Some research has demonstrated that high numbers of thorny headed worms cause no disease, although other research has demonstrated that low numbers have caused disease in some hosts. It is likely that debilitated animals will be more susceptible to parasitism and hence disease.

Simon Allen – Veterinary Parasitology and Ecology Research Group Bristol University

Juvenile hedgehogs in Autumn can carry a broad range of endoparasites – it is difficult to point the finger at any one particular group since environmental factors may have an effect on the hedgehogs’ immune system and its response to infection (Sures 2004).

At Gower Bird Hospital the first thorny

headed worm from a hedgehog was recorded in April 2002. We haven’t been able to associate any disease with thorny headed worms as yet, but the potential is there and there have been some reported

cases from other hedgehog carers.

Skuballa et al. (2010) carried out over 357 dissections on hedgehogs which had died at rehabilitation centres in Germany (n= 153), the UK (n=21) and New Zealand (n=183). They were looking for the presence of thorny headed worms. The only

species they found in all the hedgehogs examined was the avian thorny headed worm, Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus. Gower Bird Hospital sent 7 thorny headed worm specimens found in hedgehogs from different areas in South Wales to the Parasitic Worms Group in the Natural

“given that infection appears to be rare, its impact on hedgehogs is questionable, and

routine diagnosis in the living host

impossible”

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THORNY HEADED WORMS

History Museum, London. They were all identified as the bird parasite Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus. All the parasites were juveniles, none of them had reached sexual maturity and most were degraded (Eileen Harris, personal communication). The reason for this apparent non-development in the hedgehog is because the parasites, according to Skuballa et al. (2010), are attempting to use the hedgehog as a paratenic host, but the hedgehog is unsuitable and the parasites cannot develop and eventually die. Hedgehogs are a dead-end host for this parasite.

The definitive or final host for Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus is the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris), but other avian species are also used. The intermediate host for P. cylindraceus is a crustacean, the woodlouse (Armadillidium vulgare). Once the woodlouse is infected with the cystacanth, the parasite can modify the woodlouse’s behaviour by making it more active in the light and less likely to remain undercover. The woodlouse is also attracted to whiter surfaces (Moore 1983). These changes in the woodlouse’s behaviour may increase the chances of it being found and eaten by the parasite’s final hosts (birds). It is possible that young hedgehogs that are out feeding in the day are more likely to come across infected woodlice and become infected themselves, exacerbating the problems of any hedgehog that is already struggling and likely to have a compromised immune system. It is possible that a fit, healthy (and more mature) hedgehog may not be adversely affected by ingesting these avian parasites.

More research is needed on hedgehog parasitic diseases and studies should include both the pathology and the wider

10

environmental influence on the parasite-host relationship. In the meantime, given that infection appears to be rare, its impact on hedgehogs is questionable, and routine diagnosis in the living host impossible, no particular precautions or actions can be recommended to carers.

I would like to thank Eric Morgan (Bristol University), Eileen Harris and David Gibson (Natural History Museum, London) for kindly reviewing this article. Any errors are my own.

ReferencesHugot, J.-P., P. Baujard, et al. (2001) “Biodiversity in helminths and nematodes as a field of study: an overview.” Nematology 3, 199-208.

Kennedy, C. R. (2006). Ecology of the Acanthocephala, Cambridge University Press.

Moore, J. (1983). “Responses of an Avian Predator and Its Isopod Prey to an Acanthocephalan Parasite.” Ecology 64(5): 1000-1015.

Skuballa, J., H. Taraschewski, et al. (2010). “The avian acanthocephalan Plagiorhynchus cylindraceus (Palaeacanthocephala) parasitizing the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in Europe and New Zealand.” Parasitology Research 106(2): 431-437.

Sures, B. (2004). “Environmental parasitology: relevancy of parasites in monitoring environmental pollution.” Trends in Parasitology 20(4): 170-177.

Taylor, A., R. L. Coop, et al. (2007). Veterinary Parasitology. Oxford, Blackwell.

THORNY HEADED WORMS

An exit questionnaire from the symposium told us a little about our delegates and what they thought of the event.

SIXTY PER CENT OF DELEGATES were attending a British Wildlife Coalition Symposium for the first time. The overwhelming reason for non-attendance of previous symposia was travelling distance, so supporting our theory that moving the symposium around the country is likely to make it more accessible to more people over time. A number of land-based colleges were suggested as potential future venues!

We were complimented on our “easy and helpful booking system”, and we all agreed that the Deafblind Association’s venue in Peterborough was excellent.

BWRC SYMPOSIUM EXIT QUESTIONNAIRE

WHAT DID OUR DELEGATES TELL US ABOUT THE 2012 SYMPOSIUM?

regulation of wildlife rehabilitation, information on more unusual animal groups such as reptiles and amphibians, non-native species and overseas rehabilitation practice. Relations with the veterinary community was also a topic of interest.

When we suggested adding an evening meal and speaker to the programme, 74% of respondents told us that they would like this opportunity.

Of course not everyone agreed on some issues; for example while some delegates commented that “20 minutes for each talk was a good idea keeping each topic…to the point” others were concerned that some speakers were rushed and should have been given more time. In response we will be liaising more closely with future speakers regarding presentation timing.

If you feel you have expertise or experience that you would like to share or for more information on the 2013 Symposium in Cheshire please contact the Coalition through the BWRC website.

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The British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council arranges their annual symposium in a three year rotation with our British Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition partners Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital in Cheshire and the International Otter Survival Fund

who hold their conference in Inverness.

“Fantastic, great venue, excellent speakers. [We]

learnt so much and met some great people.”

Delegates’ suggestions for future topics reflected the diverse skills and knowledge required in this field; generic topics such as legislation, fund-raising, facility design, education of children and care of commonly rescued native animals were intermixed with requests for presentations on the potential

The British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council arranges their annual symposium in a three year rotation with our British Wildlife Rehabilitation Coalition partners Lower Moss Wood Wildlife Hospital in Cheshire and the International Otter Sur-

vival Fund who hold their conference in Inverness.

“Really enjoyed the range of talks and the chance to

network. Well organised and a pleasurable day.”

THE BWRC PREVIOUSLY RAN a recording scheme for ten years. Rehab units from all over Britain contributed, sending in quarterly reports. The aim was to build up a picture of what was coming into wildlife hospitals and the reasons behind their admission. Although lots of information was gained the submission method was a little haphazard: it was a little hit and miss with the submissions as not all sanctuaries took part and those that did only submitted their reports every now and then, whilst others sent their’s in on a regular basis. This meant that there was no real continuity.

With this in mind I thought it was time to resurrect the recording scheme but in a different way. Using a standard format and inputting data via a web page we would be able to collect, collate and disseminate the information nputted by the participants.

To make it work the participating

BWRC RECORDING SCHEME

BWRC RECORDING SCHEME

hospitals would be asked to submit a monthly report via the web. The information would be entered onto a record card that contains most of the relevant information required on most hospital standard record cards. The card that is filled in for each casualty will be printable and therefore can be used to substitute your present card. Each participating hospital will be asked to submit one of their existing cards so that we can collaborate. There will be a trial period for up to six months or less too iron out any problems.

If you would like your Centre join the scheme please Contact Ray for further details. It is important that you take in all British wildlife with the exception of cetaceans. Please attach a current record card that you use so that we can collate all relevant information.

ray@lowermosswood.com

Any suggestions for future articles or speakers etc please contact annemaskell@gmail.com

Thanks to The Happy Hedgehog Rescue for the front cover Hoglet Picture.

All photos are copyrighted and remain the property of their owners.

Charity no 1073757

The views and opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council.