Dormice taken into Secret World (From This is The West Country)

Dormice taken into Secret World

11:10am Tuesday 30th October 2012 in News

THESE adorable orphaned dormice have been helping a wildlife rescue volunteer decorate her home for Christmas.

The trio were taken in by Secret World Wildlife Rescue team member Debbie O’Keefe after their mum died and they were found shivering beside a garden hedge near Bodmin Moor in Cornwall.

Debbie has been feeding them blackberries, hazelnuts and wild bird seed at her Wembdon home but says they are still not old enough for release into the wild until after the festive season.

“Christmas cake would not be good for them, but I am sure we could drape some tinsel over their cosy tank, where they nestle on a heat pad,” said Debbie, whose children, Charlie, nine, and

Harry, 12, have taken quite an interest in their tiny house guests.

Secret World, based in East Huntspill, takes in thousands of injured or orphaned wild animals every year, and still needs support for its £4.4million Call of the Wild Appeal to provide theregion’s first Wildlife Hospital and Education Centre.

Founder Pauline Kidner said: “With it now costing around £135 to care for every single wild animal or bird we take in, the support of wildlife lovers across the region is vital.”