Almost 200 animals rescued by East Sussex WRAS over weekend

East Sussex Wildlife and Rescue Service (WRAS) was called to birds, deer and hedgehogs among others across the county, including a fox whose head was trapped between a wall and a washing line pole in St Leonards.

Rescuer Trevor Weeks attended the scene on Friday morning to find the fox had been freed, but it died after being admitted.

Rescuers helping a collapsed fox in St Leonards (Image: East Sussex Wildlife Rescue and Ambulance Service)

On Saturday, rescuers assisted a fallow deer with its antlers entangled in an electric rope in Uckfield at around 6.10pm. The deer was captured and released safely.

On Sunday, the team responded to two incidents, including one reported by Sussex Police at midday involving a fallow deer with rope and a large fence pole caught in its antlers. Following an extensive search, the deer could not be located.

At 5.05pm, WRAS was called to Eastbourne Road in Ridgewood near Uckfield, where 80 ducks were waddling along the busy carriageway. They were guided towards a nearby pond by rescuers and locals.

A large group of ducks were guided to safety after taking a walk along a busy road (Image: WRAS)

On Monday at 8.40am, a male fallow deer was freed from an electric rope in Down Street in Nutley by the team.

The organisation has reported an “exceptionally busy” summer, with nearly 1,100 casualties handled in June. So far, the team has dealt with 4,500 casualties this year, with up to 67 admitted each day.

Trevor said: “While the WRAS rescue line may be quieter than back in June and July, the nature of rescues tends to switch during this time of year, often involving prolonged efforts to free trapped animals in challenging or awkward positions, along with an increase in deer antler entanglements.

“Throughout the bank holiday, I've been busy either handling calls as a rescue co-ordinator responding to rescue missions in the field. It's challenging to focus on other tasks during this period, leading fundraising to be put on hold.

“There's a common misconception that we receive funding from the government or local council when in fact, we are solely reliant on donations as a local charity. With rising expenses, we truly appreciate the community's support in funding our essential services.”