Wildlife First Response

03/01/2026

No life too small. Every little guy matters.

23/12/2025

Yesterday evening, New Arc Wildlife Rescue was alerted to a swan reported near the Parkway in Bridge of Don. Sadly it couldn't be located.

Further calls came in this morning reporting a live swan on the Parkway, one deceased, and another found in a garden in Bucksburn.

All three swans were juveniles. At this time of year, young swans are often pushed out of their parents’ territory and can end up landing in unsuitable and dangerous locations such as busy roads or urban gardens. Unfortunately, not all of these situations end with a positive outcome.

While returning from Aberdeen, we were also called to another swan in Newburgh. Sadly, this individual was seriously injured and in very poor condition.

These incidents highlight how vulnerable wildlife can be, particularly during dispersal periods, and how quickly situations can escalate in urban environments.

If you would like to support our work, please consider setting up a monthly donation. As little as £2 a month helps us continue rescuing, rehabilitating, and responding to wildlife in need across the North-East of Scotland. Your support genuinely makes a difference.
https://www.justgiving.com/charity/newarc

Please also remember that we, like most wildlife rescues, will continue operating over the Christmas period. Wildlife emergencies do not stop for the holidays, and neither does our commitment to responding when animals need help.

19/12/2025

Thank you for your recent good wishes. I appreciated them all.

Today, I made a Christmas donation to Highland Wildlife Rescue to acknowledge and thank them for all their work to help wildlife this year.

If you would also like to donate, you can do so here: -

https://www.peoplesfundraising.com/donation/highland-wildlife-rescue

Merry Christmas x

14/12/2025

I had to break my social media holiday to share this. This is why I set up WFR: the thought of animals suffering in this way breaks my heart. Please slow down for wildlife.

Graphic post, but it needs saying - we need to slow down at night and watch out for wildlife.

Called out to this little lady this evening, and she was in a bad way.

At some point in the past few months, she had been hit by a vehicle which had shattered her pelvis and broken both back legs. She must have been in constant terrible pain yet somehow, she has struggled to survive. The breaks and joints in both back legs had fused so her legs were almost straight and were totally rigid.

Although with difficulty she could occasionally stand and walk, she had been dragging herself along on one side causing open wounds. She also had little to no feeling in her rear end, and had hip bone fragments under her skin.

Badgers are incredibly tough animals and it was really upsetting to see her in this state; there's no way to imagine the pain that she has been in for many weeks with these injuries.

We always want to try to get them back out there, but tonight sadly there was no option.

We average 250 roadkill badgers each year on the island, and it's too many.

You can help reduce this number by spreading a message "Slow Down Give Badgers a Brake" more information can be found here -

https://www.badgertrust.org.uk/gbab

A car window sticker is also available from the main Badger Trust shop to help spread the message -
https://www.badgertrust.org.uk/product-page/give-badgers-a-brake-window-sticker-1

Let's try and get the figures down on the island for next year, and not put any more badgers through the pain and suffering that this badger went through.

Thank you to Wight Vets for seeing this badger straight away out of hours, and thank you to Friends of the Animals for covering the vet bills, it's most appreciated ❤️

Out of pain now, run free little one 🦡🐾🐾

10/12/2025

Hi folks,

Life is a bit tricky right now & I’m going to step back from social media for some headspace.

Wishing you a very wild & wonderful festive period. Keep safe, everyone.

Hannah 💚 x

09/12/2025

We have been extremely busy attending deer incidents over the past two weeks, day and night, doing our best to reach as many calls as possible. Thank you to the drivers who contacted us after being involved in a collision, and to those who phone in when they come across an injured deer. Your vigilance ensures these animals do not suffer unseen.

This morning we attended a deer at Berryslacks, sadly found with a severely fractured pelvis. Thank you to everyone who reported it, and to the considerate drivers who slowed down as we secured the deer. Unfortunately, a small but frustrating minority chose to speed past our vehicle, putting themselves and our team at risk. Please remember: when you see our marked vehicles and amber beacons, slow down and pass with care.

All of our out-of-hours deer work is carried out by volunteers, and it is costly in fuel, equipment, and time. If you are in a position to support us, even with a small monthly amount, it truly makes a difference. You can set up a regular donation via JustGiving, https://www.justgiving.com/charity/newarc
Or if you prefer to create a standing order, please message us and we will provide the details.

Thank you for helping us continue this essential work for our local wildlife.

https://www.justgiving.com/charity/newarc

06/12/2025

Very sad news for both selkies and for Hillswick Wildlife Sanctuary who do such great work.

05/12/2025

Oh my goodness, heartbreaking. I’m a big fan of the Kite and love to see them here on the Black Isle. What a tragic end for a wonderful bird.

04/12/2025

Last badger print going from Cut From The Land - wouldn’t it be great to go to a badger loving friend or family member this Christmas. My one takes pride of place in my living room!

01/12/2025

Good evening, friends, I have a few pairs of Deer Whistles left which can be shipped this week - £8.00 including UK p&p.

Great wee stocking filler for your wildlife loving friends or family.

Simply drop a comment below or email wildlifefirstresponse@gmail.com to order.

Some pics below from some beauties I met whilst volunteering in wildlife rescue.

01/12/2025

We were called by a lorry driver this morning after she witnessed a deer being struck by a car on the B9001, north-west of Rothienorman, at around 10:30am. The vehicle that hit the deer continued driving, leaving the deer at the roadside with a badly fractured pelvis and significant bleeding.

Although there is no legal requirement to stop after hitting a deer, there is unquestionably a moral one. If you have caused significant harm to an animal, the very least that should be done is to ensure help is requested so the animal’s welfare can be safeguarded.

A huge thank you to the lorry driver who not only stopped but used her vehicle to shield the deer and protect other road users while we travelled to the scene. Sadly, as is so often the case with deer involved in vehicle collisions, the injuries were unsurvivable. We were, however, able to provide a humane end.

We know not everyone is familiar with what to do if they hit a deer, so here is a reminder:

If the deer is alive and still visible at the roadside:

*Pull over safely (and in a safe location) and switch on your hazard lights.

*Note the exact location, ideally using What3Words.

*Call your nearest wildlife rescue centre or the Police.

For this part of Aberdeenshire (including Aberdeen, Inverurie, Huntly, Banff, Fraserburgh, Peterhead and surrounding areas), please call New Arc Wildlife Rescue on 01358 701723. Otherwise, contact Police Scotland on 101.

Please remember that human safety comes first. Do not put yourself in harm’s way.

30/11/2025

Ooh, what a present to give your badger-loving self or friends! I adore mine.

A Rambling update!
While doing a stocktake, we’ve found 2 Midnight Ramblers that managed to find their way into a different box.
These are probably going to sell out quickly, so if you’ve had your eye on them, you’ll need to get a move on.
I’m not supposed to have favourites, but I love this one and I’ll be over the moon to see them going to new homes.
🦡🌿🍄

https://www.cutfromtheland.co.uk/product/midnight-rambler-ltd-ed-linocut-print