Stricken animals rescued in a busy year for RSPCA

An owl discovered in a slurry pit and a hedgehog with an injury to its back are among the animals rescued by the RSPCA in Somerset over the last 12 months.

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A member of the public discovered the owl after it flew into a slurry pit in October and then called a local vet out to come and assess him.

Uninjured, but very cold and exhausted, the owl was later transferred to RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre in Taunton where he was instantly warmed up and fed.

The following day team members carefully washed his contaminated feathers. A spokesperson for the animal charity said: “Once his feathers had dried, he was transferred to an outdoor aviary and eight days later successfully released back to the wild by RSPCA Inspector Dean Wilkins.”