244 swan deaths in 6yrs

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Tracey.A

Hi Annmarie,

I don't really understand why there is some sort of confusion between the RSPB and the RSPCA, the latter are there to help injured birds and animals and are able to give excellent advice. The former are there to to conserve and protect habitats so improving bird and wildlife populations. They are also responsible for carrying out a huge amount of research into why some birds seem to be in decline. Getting back to your point, if someone phones or takes in a sick or injured bird then they will offer advice on what to do, which would usually be to take it to the RSPCA, who are the body that deal with such things.

Tracey

quite so, If you found an injured child you wouldnt take them to the local nspcc shop and expect them to treat them !

[Tracey.A]

Originally Posted by eeyore

quite so, If you found an injured child you wouldnt take them to the local nspcc shop and expect them to treat them !

Thanks Eeyore Excellent point!

Tracey

[annmaria]

You are both right , which I am sure is all you want to hear ....!
It may be a confusion on behalf of the general public, but its quite a common problem and it does upset an awful lot of people.
Annmaria

[Gill Catton]

Originally Posted by annmaria

You are both right , which I am sure is all you want to hear ....!
It may be a confusion on behalf of the general public, but its quite a common problem and it does upset an awful lot of people.
Annmaria

I think its a relatively easy mistake to make too and it will keep being made without a doubt (not sure there's much that can be done to stop that).

But most people working on the front line with the RSPB are kind and friendly people who'd be more likely to help out I think -if only to give you a useful number. This is what the wildlife trust did when I turned up at their coffee shop with a sick swan - I knew they wouldn't be able to help directly being the wildlife trust and not a wildlife hospital, but I thought they might know someone locally who could help and I have no idea why that would be an unreasonable assumption because it turned out to be accurate!!

[annmaria]

Originally Posted by eeyore

quite so, If you found an injured child you wouldnt take them to the local nspcc shop and expect them to treat them !

Hi Gill as usual you are the voice of reason

Hi Eeyore
You make a very good point which draws attention to the title RSPB , protection of BIRDS may be the reason why people go to them as opposed to RSPCA , protection of animals.....thank you for helping me see the confusion:
Annmaria

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by annmaria

Hi Gill as usual you are the voice of reason

Hi Eeyore
You make a very good point which draws attention to the title RSPB , protection of BIRDS may be the reason why people go to them as opposed to RSPCA , protection of animals.....thank you for helping me see the confusion:
Annmaria

True - but then the title also highlights that their mission is the PROTECTION of birds, not specifically treatment. If you found an injured child you would either call an ambulance or take it to a hospital - and thus for injured wildlife (whether furred or feathered) surely the appropriate recourse is an animal ambulance service , or a wildlife hospital.

Fair enough with an injured child you might expect the local shop/coffee shop staff to tell you who to call, or even to let you use their phone , but you wouldnt expect them to take responsibility for the child or take it to hospital themselves.

And likewise as gill points out it is entirely reasonable to expect rspb/ wildlife trust staff to point you in the right direction, which in 99.9% of cases they will be happy to do

But too often on here we have seen posters angrily attacking the rspb (or wildlife trust or whoever) because their shop/coffee shop/visitor centre staff refused to take an injured bird from the poster and arrange its treatment , which is something they are singularly unequiped to do.

[Tracey.A]

This post started off about swans that were being killed by power lines, which was very distressing, but happily there has been a good outcome re this! Now though it seems to have turned into an attack on the RSPB. The reasons why the RSPB didn't get involved have been explained and the reasons why they can't take care of sick and injured birds has also been explained, but in spite of this the criticism continues and I find it very unjust. I am finding this all very uncomfortable to be honest and no longer wish to contribute to this thread as we are just going round in circles and there is nothing else I can say that hasn't already been said.

Tracey

[nightshade]

I think you should be lobbying the relavant Government Minister they are the ones to get things done,take your findings to your MP and send copies to Gov.

[annmaria]

Hi Tracey, sorry to hear you are upset. I do not attack the rspb , I had left this thread ages ago until I saw your post with my quote, it is me who should feel under attack, however I can assure you there are far worse things in life to get upset about.If people have a different point of view they are entitled to it , this would be a very boring world if we all thought the same.
Annmaria