Published: Wednesday, 27th August, 2008 12:30
County set to welcome wildlife rescuers
By Nicola Findlay
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SSPCA staff care for over 100 species of birds, including swans, ducks and, last year, a pelican, as well as many other animals.
Pic by: SSPCA
THE Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) has bought a 180-acre site near Dollar to create a national wildlife rescue centre.
A planning application will be submitted for the site at Castleton Farm and, if given the go-ahead, the centre will treat injured wild animals from across Scotland, replacing its current facility in Dunfermline.
The project would see all the current facilities at the Dunfermline-based Middlebank Centre – including the UK’s second largest seal rehabilitation unit – moved to Clackmannanshire and expanded.
All the staff at Middlebank will also move to Clackmannanshire and, depending on the outcome of the planning application, staff numbers may increase.
Jo Wilson, a spokesperson for the SSPCA, told the Advertiser, “We made on offer on the site and it has been accepted and, hopefully, the acquisition will be completed in October.
“The new site will allow us to do a lot more and have better facilities as it is considerably bigger than the 10 acre site we currently have.
“We will also be able to take more species as there will be more space at the centre with more land around it.
“The new site is in a quieter area and isn’t next to a busy main road like our current centre. This will create a more peaceful setting to rehabilitate wild animals as the noise of traffic can upset them and isn’t ideal.”
However, detailed plans for the new centre haven’t been drawn up and will be dependent on talks with Clackmannanshire Council planners.
The SSPCA deals with a huge variety of wildlife which has been injured or is sick and unable to fend for itself properly. All animals brought into the centre are cared for until they are well enough to be released back into the wild.
They regularly deal with seal pups from all over Scotland and last year cared for a pup from Thurso, which was successfully released back into the wild.
Staff also care for over 100 species of birds including swans, ducks, a pelican and, last year, they rescued their first ever kite which had flown into a window.
There is a cleaning centre for oiled birds and other animals, and staff have even treated a group of swans from a pond at Holyrood Park who were suffering from lead poisoning.
All but one survived and they were successfully released at another site.
Councillor Eddie Carrick, Clackmannanshire Council’s sustainability portfolio holder, has welcomed the SSPCA’s decision to relocate to the county.
He said, “This is an exciting proposal which further demonstrates the attractiveness of Clackmannanshire as a location with good transport links and offering an excellent quality of life.
“I am pleased that a national organisation with such a high profile has chosen to make Clackmannanshire the home for its new centre.”
Ochil MSP Keith Brown also added his support to the plans.
He said, “Not only is it great news to see the SSPCA moving to a newer, larger facility, it is great news that it is to be in Clackmannanshire.
“I understand that the current wildlife centre in Dunfermline includes an educational facility that offers school visits. I have seen up close the benefits the RSPB’s visitor facility at Loch Leven brings to that area, which is also in my constituency, and I can see huge potential if the SSPCA include this in their new site
“The SSPCA do great work and have built up a reputation for effectiveness and commitment.
“They are one of the largest and certainly one of the best respected organisations in their field.
“I am sure the Wee County will welcome them with open arms.”
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