Secret World Wildlife Rescue: Open Weekends 2012

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Secret World, the wildlife rescue centre at New Road, East Huntspill, Highbridge, has announced the dates for its 2012 open weekends when members of the public are invited to go along, meet the animals and find out more about the work of the charity.

Secret World is a charity that specialises in the rescue, rehabilitation and eventual release of Britain’s orphaned, injured and sick wildlife and is the only 24/7 service in the South West.  In 2011 the charity helped around 4,000 creatures and they know they could help more if they had the resources.  At the same time they were able to carry out educational visits to 27 schools, the charity considers it vital to teach children about nature and show them what they can do to protect the wildlife on their doorstep.

Secret World is open 24/7 for wildlife care admissions but only opens on selected days for public visits; on open weekends they offer an opportunity to meet the staff and animals at the centre and to get a close-up glimpse of the work they do.

The following five open weekends have been announced for 2012:

• April 6, 7, 8 and 9 – Badger Bonanza – this is the only time of year that the public get to see badgers up close, the centre has the largest badger cub rearing unit in the country and the young badgers will be being bottle fed.  CCTV cameras will allow visitors to see into the casualty and rehabilitation pens.

• June 2, 3, 4 and 5 – Wildlife Babies – it’s wildlife boom time and there will be lots of baby orphans being cared for at the centre.

• July 6, 7 and 8 – Healing Weekend – an annual event when more than 150 stalls and exhibitors including healers, therapists, clairvoyants, arts and crafts, health and holistic goods will be set up at Secret World plus music, dance displays, talks, workshops and much more.

• July 28 and 29 – Tortoises and Hedgehogs – Britain’s favourite mammal is the hedgehog and yet it is rarely seen, find out how to attract them to your garden and possibly get the chance to see some tiny babies.  This weekend will also offer the chance to see tortoise and terrapins, big and small.

• August 25, 26 and 27 – Nature’s Hunters – wildlife casualties at Secret World are likely to include bats, birds and fawns.  The final open weekend of the year will have plenty to occupy visitors including a nature trail, ferret racing, face painting and more.

With the exception of the Healing Weekend for which there will be an entry charge, admission to the open weekends is free but a donation to the charity is requested.  Secret World will be open from 10.00AM until 4.00PM each day.