It has been some weeks now since we had any serious rain and the countryside is starting to look brown. The drought doesn't simply mean that we have to water the plants every day or (in our case) take water to donkeys several times a day. But wild animals are also finding it difficult to find enough to drink. Natacha Harry is the president of the SPA and a few days ago was bemoaning the fact that with the start of the holidays many dogs would be abandoned and few adopted, leading to over-flowing SPA centres. But this morning (Wednesday) on Telematin she was also pointing out the problems faced by wild animals, especially their young.
Young birds are often found injured or stunned; young hedgehogs, squirrels or foxes are suffering dehydration; fledglings lost or abandoned because their nest has been destroyed and the parents are dead or afraid of human proximity. Apparently young swallows and swifts are particularly at risk.
What can we do to help?
Firstly, keep your bird baths topped up. Put out small bowls of water for wild life to enjoy. Look to see if there are centres for treatment of ill or injured wild animals. There is an organisation called UFCS (Union Francais des Centres de Sauvegard), which has 45 branches throughout France; our region has just two, both of which deal mainly with birds. But local vets can often help. If you have any ideas let us know.
To know more about UFCS click here:UFCS
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