Secret World Wildlife Rescue is an animal rescue center and charity based in East Huntspill, near Highbridge in Somerset. Founded by Pauline Kidner in 1984, this charity specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of British Wildlife. They work on a 24-hour basis 365 days a year, with a team of experts on hand for any casualty or orphan that may be brought in. Each year they rescue roughly 5,000 wild animals, from badgers and otters to swans and birds of prey.
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They rely greatly on the work of their volunteers, with volunteer response drivers located across Somerset, Bristol, Wiltshire, Dorset, Devon and South Gloucestershire who are all trained to bring in a variety of different British wildlife. Volunteer animal carers who help care for the animals and receptionists whom cover the 24/7 emergency call line are also vital to their operations.
Supporters of the center include Simon King, Chris Packham, Martin Hughes-Games, Michaela Strachan, Tony Head, Chris Sperring, Mike Dilger, Jilly Cooper, Valerie Singleton, Desmond Morris and Sarah Fisher.
Mission
The group aims to care for wildlife species so they recover their health and can be returned to live with a high quality of life in the wild. In this sense, the organisation sees itself as a staging post for animals prior to their release, rather than as a zoo where animals are kept indefinitely. They aim to return all animals back to where they were found, however this is not always possible so instead they find them the best homes they can. Another of secret worlds missions is to educate and inform the general public about British Wildlife. Throughout the year their learning team spend their time visiting local schools teaching the students about all the different creatures the British countryside has to offer. Various open days are also held through out the year, with animal talks taking place so the visitors can also learn about these animals.
Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release
Animals are either brought in by locals or picked by one of their many response drivers who are located across the South West. Receptionists at Secret World are on hand 24/7 via the emergency helpline, where they answer calls to help analyse the situation, with animal carers nearby to help give any advice when needed.Once an animal is brought in they will be assessed and veterinary care is given if needed. Whilst there the animal will continue to be looked after with volunteers and workers giving 24 hour care, giving them their hourly feeds or whatever the animal may require. On site they have extensive facilities, with hospital rooms, and treatment and recovery areas which help in giving all casualties the best possible chance in recovery. After the rehabilitation process the next stage is for the animal to be released, and they make sure they are 100% recovered and ready before being released. They aim to release the animals where they were found, in a hope to be reunited with their families and homes however this is not always possible. They specialize in 'soft-releases' enclosures that are set up where the animals are to be released. Here the animal will stay for a few weeks without human contact, getting used to the environment and overall settling in, before the gates are opened and they are free to live their lives in the wild.
This whole process from rescue to release aims to give the animals the best chance of survival, and the animals needs are always prioritized.
History
Secret World, located New Road farm was originally a dairy farm ran by Pauline Kidner and her husband, Derek. Pauline was known for bringing in injured wildlife and nursing them back to health and after opening the farm to the general public, people started bringing injured wildlife to her. This continued for a few years before Pauline and Derek decided to set up a charity to support their work, and in 1993 Bluebell Sett was born, named after one of the badgers Pauline had previously cared for. And with this the farms name was changed to Secret World. And in 1995 Bluebell Sett was a registered charity. However 10 years later this was renamed to Secret World Wildlife Rescue.
Media Coverage
Since their opening Secret World has received a lot of media coverage especially from local newspapers. However their coverage has not been restricted to regional media outlets and have also featured on national television shows such as: CBBC's Junior Vets and Countryfile. And in 2013 Secret World was also a filming location for the BBC's The Burrowers: Animals Underground, presented by Secret World supporter and patron Chris Packham. However one of the most notable television appearances is in ITV's Secret World (2000). This focused on Pauline and Secret World and threw them into the spotlight, with the casualties being permitted rising from 1000 a year to 3000 a year after the show aired.