Launching a wildlife rescue centre back in 2017 as a labour of love, one Cork lady has seen the demand on her facility grow over the years, to such a degree that her back garden is now choc-o-bloc enclosures to house animals in need of rescue.
A graduate of UCC, Julie Cronin has a long history of working with wildlife and at Wildlife Rescue Cork, her home in Whitechurch, set up to cater for needy animals, is modelled on similar international refuges she had worked in. One of just a small handful of centres dedicated to wildlife in Ireland, its the only one in Cork.
Starting with a few hutches in her back garden the demand was quickly apparent and through dedicated fundraising, Julie has been able to expand. Her back garden is now wedged with enclosures of various shapes and sizes, including a large dedicated infirmary complete with isolation suite and incubators.
The most recent project is a new aviary, which is in the process of being built. The centre is currently home to 9 hedgehogs, a swan, a pigeon and a fox, but this is quiet by all accounts as, according to Julie, in the spring and summer the pens are often overflowing from their enclosures. As the aim is to release all the animals following rehabilitation, the facility is not open to the public.
The centre is now a full time job for Julie, who receives a small government grant to help with the running costs but is largely reliant on donations from the public. Determined however to never turn a hurt animal away Julie, with the help of a few volunteers, man the centre’s e-mail 24 hours a day, encouraging the public to reach out if they spot a wild animal in distress.
Further details are available at www.wildliferescuecork.com, which is a trove of information on how you can help wildlife in your area.
