JSPCA PRESS RELEASE

May 2006  

Visiting Royal Engineers help build long awaited new JSPCA Animals' Shelter wildlife rehabilitation ponds and aviary

Over the period of the last week, ten members of the 43 Headquarters and Support Squadron, 25 Engineer Regiment have been working hard to complete a project to create a new aviary and two new ponds areas at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter, with the aim of ultimately helping to improve the existing facilities for the rehabilitation of avian wildlife casualties at the Animals’ Shelter site.

The steady annual increase in the number of injured wild birds that are being received at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter has highlighted the urgent need for larger, more suitable facilities for the rehabilitation of wild birds and through the kind help and support of the Royal Engineers, it has been possible for the project to be completed for use in time for the rest of the year’s influx of orphaned ducklings.

During the rehabilitation period of wild bird causalities, it is important to offer the opportunity for the birds to develop and improve their level of fitness prior to release. Hence it is necessary to provide a quiet and as natural environment as possible, with minimal exposure to humans and domestic animals.  Specifically, the new pond areas will provide much improved rehabilitation facilities, particularly for waterfowl species.  The new ponds have been designed so as to minimise the likelihood of the birds developing foot lesions, such as ‘Bumblefoot’, to which they are prone if housed on concrete surfaces for long periods of time.  Ultimately, the proposed ponds will help to improve the well being of the birds whilst they are recovering prior to them being successfully released back into the wild.

On Friday 26^th May 2006, the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter expressed their sincere thanks to the Royal Engineers of the 43 Headquarters and Support Squadron, 25 Engineer Regiment, for their invaluable help with the construction of the much needed new wildlife rehabilitation ponds and aviary without which it would have been impossible to complete the project, through the presentation of a Jersey Flag and an engraved plaque to the Squadron by the Chief Executive Officer of the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter, Major Stephen Coleman.

Pictures of the project in progress: 

The site of the proposed new JSPCA ponds and aviary on 31^st March 2006, before any major work was started on the project:

The site of the new ponds and aviary in the first week of May 2006:

Royal Engineers working on the construction of the timber frames of the ponds, May 2006: 

After the Royal Engineers had completed their work:

Aviary:

            Ponds:

Plaques placed on the aviary and both ponds by the Royal Engineers:

Some final finishing touches are all that is needed before the two new ponds and aviary can ultimately be put to good use by the rehabilitating wild birds currently being looked after at the JSPCA Animals’ Shelter.

ENDS