Coronavirus crisis: £15,000 appeal launched for Rutland falconry, owl and wildlife centre
By The Editor
1st Apr 2020 | Local News
The Rutland Falconry and Owl Centre and related Rutland Wildlife Sanctuary has launched a £15,000 appeal to help it feed and bed the birds and animals.
The plea comes after the centre at Burley has suffered from more than three months of flooding and now the Coronavirus lockdown is preventing it from opening to the public.
Chris Lawton, who runs the non-profit organisations, helped by volunteer Thomas Rigby, says the centres are home to a number of birds of prey including - hawks, owls, falcons, eagles and vultures, many of which are rescued and rehomed at the centre.
The 74-year-old told Oakham Nub News he has long had a passion for birds an animals and opened the centre on rescuing a group of birds needing a home.
However, problems for the centre started before Christmas due to poor weather, including the New Year storms Ciara and Dennis, which flooded out the centre and is only now drying up.
Chris explained: "Now we have the new dilemma of Corona Virus, which has shut us down completely so our resources have been badly dented.
"The money we make through the season sees us through the winter months.
"Due to these circumstances our biggest worry is feeding the birds and animals (Big Cats) four leopards, a puma and a serval.
"As you are aware we are on lockdown and not able to make any income to pay these bills. We are non profit, all money goes back into the centre. Our backup is volunteers, we have had some wonderful help from people over the last 20 years we have been here and we thank you all."
Chris received his first big cat in 2005, when he was able to rescue an Amur Leopard, the rarest leopard in the World, whose numbers have grown from 35 then to 100 today.
Chris continued: "Yes, we rehome cats that are not wanted in the system for whatever reason, so they can still have a happy life. Thirteen in all over the years as of today. We strive to carry on but over the last 6 months things have been a battle.
"We have had donations from truly amazing people who don't want to be named, and we respect that. We are asking for help through these times for the sake of these creatures. If you are able to help and want to make a donation the animals would be very grateful.
We have set up a GoFundMe account. Any amount is greatly appreciated.
The appeal can be found at gofundme.com/rutland-wildlife-sanctuary
To contact Chris, call 07778152814 or email [email protected]
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