RSPCA respond to nearly 1,300 incidents involving wildlife in Wiltshire

The animal charity are hoping to inspire 'Wildlife Friends' with their garden display at the Chelsea Flower Show

Author: Aaron HarperPublished 26th May 2023

The RSPCA has reported that the charity received more than 100,000 calls about animals in need last year.

That number includes almost 1,300 cases in Wiltshire, home to RSPCA Oak and Furrows.

New RSPCA President Chris Packham said: “We all know that wildlife is in serious decline and the way we are going to change that is by encouraging as many people as possible to take action.”

The charity also have a garden at the Chelsea Flower show, where they hope to inspire people who see the display to become a ‘Wildlife Friend’.

It has been designed by Martyn Wilson and funded by Project Giving Back.

Those who are not able to visit the flower show in person can guide themselves around a 3D version of the stunning wildlife garden - similar to Google Street View.

Virtual attendees can climb stairs of the two-storey bird hide and gaze into the beautiful water feature, and peep into a wall of bird boxes, all without leaving the comfort of their home.

The RSPCA is determined to make their garden as accessible to everyone as possible. In addition to opening up the garden online, it will later be relocated to Cheshire to be based at one of the charity's specialist wildlife centres, where it will provide sanctuary for staff, volunteers and wild animals alike.

RSPCA chief executive, Chris Sherwood, said: “Our garden has been made possible with funding from Project Giving Back and we want it to be as accessible as possible and our 3D immersive tour means everyone can visit for their own unique, access all areas tour, at the click of the button or a swipe of their finger.

“We’ve got a lot of great videos, tips, beautiful animals and maybe even a famous face or two hiding in the 3D immersive tour for people to find.”

Chris added: “We want everyone who sees our garden at Chelsea to be inspired to become a Wildlife Friend, carrying out small acts of kindness like creating a hedgehog highway through their garden, putting out saucers of water for thirsty birds or picking up litter which can be a deadly hazard for our feathered friends.”

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