Wildlife care

Yes, nature does have its casualties, but considering that humans have meddled with nature in such a negative way, I believe any help given to redress this, even in a small way, should be welcomed.

Wildlife rescue centres most certainly don’t upset the balance of nature – thankfully they are people who see the bigger picture and are willing to dedicate their lives to trying to put back or repair a little of what has been damaged by human activity or neglect.

Humans shoot, maim and run over many more animals than can be rescued in a year.

Mr Metcalfe sounds as if he has selective compassion – the recent bad weather and high winds have also affected the nests of blackbirds, robins, blue tits and thrushes, to name but a few – does he think these nestling birds should have also been left to perish as he seems to think mother nature intended?

As for his comment about gulls decimating the garden bird population, gardens are often little more than decking or concrete these days and anything growing is likely to have been sprayed with pesticide, weedkiller or surrounded by slug pellets.

There are also cat attacks and roadkill to consider.

Our bird and animal habitats have been destroyed, our seas and rivers are polluted with toxic chemicals, oil spills and other debris and animals are factory-farmed in horrendous conditions and pumped full of hormones.

As for wildflower meadows, 98% of these have disappeared and farmland birds have declined dramatically.

The list of mankind’s damage to nature is endless and with the odds stacked so high against her, mother nature deserves a little help.

Thankfully there are people like Roger and Fleur Musselle of Roger’s Wildlife Rescue, who recently cared for some herring gulls. These birds are in decline globally.

Much like other rescue centres, their compassion extends to all of nature’s creations.

They work incredibly hard to preserve what they can of our wildlife and its habitat.

To them I extend my heartfelt thanks.

S Miller, Lorna Road, Hove