Viking Settlement!

We are very pleased to introduce you to Hrafn Vaeringi, a fantastic locally based Living History group who are working on a Viking Settlement build project here at the sanctuary. You can follow their progress on the project’s Facebook page here: Viking Settlement Project

If you are interested in their work or would like to join them, they are currently recruiting new members! As their village starts to take shape it will act as a base of operations and will function as an authentic Living History Village. If you think you have what it takes to be part of Hrafn – builders, fighters, crafters, and living history performers; send them a message, or come along and see them at the village every Sunday!

As one of their fighters you will be fully trained in both Eastern and Huscarl rules combat and will get the opportunity to fight both here in England and in Europe. If fighting is not for you, you can still join as a non-combatant.

The group are also looking for funds to support the Viking Settlement Build Project. “We sacrifice our free time, money, sweat and tears to build a Viking Settlement in the West Midlands area. We are extremely fortunate and feel truly blessed for this opportunity. We can't do it without you! Building materials cost; wood and tools being the most expensive ones. The project will bring amazing value to the community providing various events, education & living history. Every pound helps!”

Building Begins...

You can donate via their GoFundMe Page, which has so far raised £710 of their £1,500 target! or send them a message if you think that you might be able to help them out with materials/labour. Thank you!

Sweet Dreams, Beautiful Sophie

It is with the greatest of sadness that we have to tell you that Sophie the Raccoon has fallen peacefully asleep and left us. We knew she was much older than Fiona when we took her in (we suspect she may have been her mother), but she hid exactly how old she was quite well, and after a short battle with several age-related conditions, and trying every treatment we possibly could (thank you to our exotics vets who pulled out all the stops for her); it was simply her time. No more pain, no sickness, no fear. Only love. And love her we always will.

We are so sad that we didn’t get longer with this beautiful brave girl. Sophie came to us just over a year ago, after spending her life until then in a cage on a puppy farm that has, thankfully, now been shut down! She was very timid when she first came here, but slowly started to come out of her shell and trusted us. We were over the moon when we completed their brand new enclosure (thanks to your support) and so was she... exploring every corner, splashing in her pool, climbing, playing, sunbathing, and snuggling up with Fiona in her warm bed. We wish she could have had this new life for longer, but we’re so happy that she got this time with us and put her past well and truly behind her.

While Fiona loves to play rough, she was nothing but gentle with her in her final days, clearly knowing she just needed peace and comfort. Raccoons are social animals so when the time is right we hope to offer a happy home to others in need of a forever home, joining Fiona so that she doesn’t become lonely. For now she’s getting lots of extra cuddles and fuss from us and is doing well. Animals will never cease to amaze us with their strength!

Not a day will go by that we won’t think of our darling Sophie and we hope that you will remember her fondly too. As long as they live on in our hearts, they never truly leave us.

Sweet dreams Sophie xxx

International Keeper Day

Today is International Zoo Keeper Day. Although we’re not a zoo, because of the amount and types of animals that we have, we have to hold a Zoo Licence and are subject to all of the same legislation, rigorous inspections and high standards that are expected of zoos. Animal Keeper is a short job title, when in fact you are also a...

• CLEANER - Keeping animal shelters and paddocks clean and tidy... Guess what? Animals poo a LOT! We clean windows, sweep paths, empty bins, clean kitchens, equipment, etc.

• CHEF - Preparing and feeding a wide range of diets for all sorts of animals with varying needs. Our mornings and afternoons are spent chopping, grating, mixing, measuring, and eventually feeding. We’re the greengrocers, the chefs, the waiters and the pot washers!

• NURSE - Many of our animals have special needs and need daily medications and treatments. We don’t clock out at 5:30 when an animal is poorly and have even stayed with them overnight when we’ve been caring for them. We assist the vets, administer injections, carry out daily health checks, take and sometimes even analyse samples, bandage wounds, and hardest of all; we are there for them right up to the very end in some sad cases. A part of our job many forget about but something we can never forget.

• RECORD KEEPER - We are responsible for keeping the notes needed to be put in to all of the animals’ individual records (every single animal here has their own record!). What have they eaten? How are they behaving? Symptoms of sickness, medicines being used, etc.

• INTERIOR DESIGNER - We are in charge of making sure the animal enclosures are fit for the needs of the animals. From putting up new perches for a bird, to working with the maintenance guys to draw up the plans for new ones!

• TRAINER - We train some of our animals, volunteers, students who are hoping to do our job in the future, and even visitors! We are also learning all of the time ourselves and are undertaking courses from MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy, to Zoo Management, Food Hygiene (because we believe that animals should have safe, hygienic diets too!), First Aid, Leadership, and even regular training days with our vets.

...and SO much more! We are proud of our team and what we all achieve together, and thank YOU for making it all possible for us!