Only 1 day left - please pledge today!

It's not too late to help save the pine marten & red squirrels - pledge today!

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A pledge today could save the pine marten AND the red squirrel!   Watch the BBC news report to find out more.     MAKE A PLEDGE »   Wildwood are aiming to raise £10,000 towards our pine marten conservation programme by taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge. The deadline is 5pm on Friday 30th August, so there's only 1 day left to raise £2,500 in pledges to unlock those vital funds.   Your pledge could also be matched by a champion of the Big Give, with the combined total being used to DOUBLE DONATIONS during the Christmas Challenge week.   You can pledge as little as £100 and if you’re a UK tax payer, Gift Aid can also be added. This means your pledge could be worth over FOUR TIMES its original value with no additional cost to yourself!    MAKE A PLEDGE »     Would you or your company consider making a pledge to help us reach our target? It will only take a few minutes of your time and together, we can help save both the pine marten and the red squirrels from extinction.   *Please note that pledges are a promise of funding and the actual payment is not required until after the live campaign has completed in December. The minimum pledge amount is £100. Full terms and conditions.   Thank you to all of our supporters that have already pledged to save the pine marten and helped raise £1,211 in pledges!   MAKE A PLEDGE »     Funds raised will help us to rebuild the existing pine marten breeding enclosures, which have severely degraded over time and urgently need replacing. By helping us to unlock those vital funds, we will also be able to source and introduce new pine martens to those already at Wildwood, increase the number of breeding pairs and cover the high cost of their transportation and veterinary care.   Simply click the button below to make a pledge or if you're unable to pledge online, please call us on 01227 712111 and we will be happy to help.   MAKE A PLEDGE »   Thank you all in advance for your support and please don’t hesitate to contact us on 01227 712111 if you have any questions about this appeal.

Wildwood Trust | Copyright - © 2018 Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 appeals@wildwoodtrust.org   To no longer receive emails from us please follow this link

Just 5 days left to make a difference!

Together we can bring the pine marten back from the brink of extinction

Your pledge today will make an even bigger difference for the pine marten!     MAKE A PLEDGE »   The charismatic, elusive pine marten was once common throughout the UK. Sadly they are now extremely rare, due to centuries of persecution and the gradual disappearance of suitable habitat, but there is still hope for their future.   Wildwood are working hard to save this special species and are one of the most successful breeders of captive pine marten in Britain. Having a good understanding of pine marten ecology and breeding behaviour is extremely important for captive breeding, and for any future re-introductions to the wild areas where they once thrived.    Your pledge today could make all the difference and really will help us do so much more to save them!     We aim to raise £10,000 towards our pine marten conservation programme by taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge, but there's only 5 days left to raise £2,500 in pledges for us to qualify to take part. Can you help us reach our target to unlock these vital funds?   Pledges could also be matched by a champion of the Big Give, with the combined total being used to DOUBLE DONATIONS during the Christmas Challenge week. You can pledge as little as £100 and if you’re a UK tax payer, Gift Aid can also be added. This means your pledge could be worth over FOUR TIMES its original value! Your pledge today could help bring the pine marten back from the brink of extinction and together we can give them a chance to re-establish a viable population.   MAKE A PLEDGE »   *Please note that pledges are a promise of funding and the actual payment is not required until after the live campaign has completed in December. The minimum pledge amount is £100. Please also note that pledgers can't donate during the live campaign, so please ensure you pledge the full amount you wish to donate. Full terms and conditions.   Thank you to all of our amazing supporters that have already pledged to help save the pine marten. We have raised £1,111 in pledges so far, which is a huge step towards reaching our target!     The return of pine martens could help save Britain's red squirrels   In areas where pine marten numbers are recovering their former range, grey squirrel numbers have decreased, which appears to be helping recolonisation of the woodland by red squirrels. Scientific studies have found that by reintroducing pine marten, this could provide a natural way of helping to restore the balance in favour of the red squirrels.   Red squirrels are small and light enough to scamper to the ends of branches out of reach of hungry pine martens, but the heavier greys are slower and spend more time foraging on the woodland floor, where they are easy prey! This means by making a pledge today, you will not only help save the pine marten, you could also be helping to save our red squirrels too!   MAKE A PLEDGE »     Funds raised will help us to rebuild the existing pine marten breeding enclosures, which have severely degraded over time and urgently need replacing. By helping us to unlock those vital funds, we will also be able to source and introduce new pine martens to those already at Wildwood, increase the number of breeding pairs and cover the high cost of their transportation and veterinary care.   Simply click the button below to make a pledge or if you're unable to pledge online, please call us on 01227 712111 and we will be happy to help.   MAKE A PLEDGE »   But there's still so much to do and as a charity we rely on donations from our supporters and members to make it happen. Please pledge today and help us unlock those vital funds needed to save the pine marten. Thank you in advance for your continued support.

Wildwood Trust | Copyright - © 2018 Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 appeals@wildwoodtrust.org   To no longer receive emails from us please follow this link

There's less than two weeks left!

Together we can bring the pine marten back from the brink of extinction

Together we can bring the pine marten back from the brink of extinction     Wildwood Trust are aiming to raise £10,000 towards our pine marten conservation programme by taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge. To qualify, there's less than two weeks left to raise £2,500 in pledges, can you help us reach our target to unlock these vital funds?   Centuries of persecution and the gradual disappearance of suitable habitat, has led the pine marten to the brink of extinction in Britain. Urgent conservation efforts to save these amazing animals must happen now to give them a chance of survival. Could you pledge today to help us save them before it's too late?   PLEDGE NOW »   Pledges could also be matched by a champion of the Big Give, with the combined total being used to DOUBLE DONATIONS during the Christmas Challenge week. You can pledge as little as £100 and if you’re a UK tax payer, Gift Aid can also be added. This means your pledge could be worth over FOUR TIMES its original value! Your pledge today will help bring the pine marten back from the brink of extinction and together we will give them a chance of survival.   Pledges are a promise of funding and the actual payment is not required until after the live campaign has completed in December. The minimum pledge amount is £100. Please also note that pledgers can't donate during the live campaign, so please ensure you pledge the full amount you wish to donate now. Full terms and conditions.     Thank you so much to everyone that has already pledged their support to help save the pine marten. We have raised £1,111 in pledges so far, which is a huge step towards reaching our target!   How will your donation help?   Funds raised will help us to rebuild the existing pine marten breeding enclosures, which have severely degraded over time and urgently need replacing. By helping us to unlock those vital funds, we will also be able to source and introduce new pine martens to those already at Wildwood, increase the number of breeding pairs and cover the high cost of their transportation and veterinary care.   Simply click the button below to make a pledge or if you're unable to pledge online, please call us on 01227 712111 and we will be happy to help.   PLEDGE NOW »   Did you know?   Pine marten are part of the mustelid family, which means they are related to animals such as the otter, badger and weasel. They are built for life in the forest, with their long, fluffy tails helping to keep them balanced as they jump from branch to branch. Their exceptionally sharp claws help them grip the tree bark allowing them to easily climb high up in the trees without falling.   Pine marten are very territorial, with only one adult usually occupying a territory. Female pine martens give birth to litters of two to five kits in Spring, the new-borns are born blind and hairless and depend entirely on their mother for six weeks. They will then start to emerge out of their den, exploring it on their own, but the kits stay with their mother for six to twelve months before establishing their own territories.     Wildwood Trust lead in pine marten captive breeding!   Having a good understanding of pine marten ecology and breeding behaviour is very important for any future re-introductions. Unfortunately, pine martens are very difficult to breed in captivity, but thanks to the expertise of Wildwood’s keeper team, we are one of the most successful breeders of captive pine marten in Britain.   But there's still so much to do... as a charity we rely on donations and we just can't do it without your help! Your pledge will mean we can do so much more to help save the pine marten, so please act now to make an even bigger difference!   PLEDGE NOW »

Wildwood Trust | Copyright - © 2018 Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 appeals@wildwoodtrust.org   To no longer receive emails from us please follow this link

Britain’s rarest animal given new hope as four wildcat kittens are born at Wildwood

Britain’s rarest animal given new hope as four wildcat kittens are born at Wildwood in Kent.

The kittens have been caught on video by remote cameras at Wildwood Trust near Canterbury – a charity dedicated to the restoration of Britain’s lost wildlife. Video here: https://youtu.be/EOngImJP3dw Wildcats are Britain’s rarest creature and are now classified as "functionally extinct" in the wild.

Click here to watch the wildcats kittens playing with mum Jura

Wildwood’s wildcat Keeper, Sally Holt said: “This outstanding success has come about through decades of hard work; with the most numbers we have ever bred to one mother. “ “This is so rewarding because this is mother Jura’s first ever litter and we are always very worried first-time mums may lose their kittens.” Wildwood’s dedicated keepers have learned over many years how challenging raising wildcat kittens can be and are particularly proud of how well first-time mum Jura is coping. Wildcat numbers are now so low that new research has concluded there is "no longer a viable wildcat population living wild in Scotland". Wildcat Keeper Jack Poncé added: “We are so proud of our lovely kittens, two girls and two boys who are now nine weeks old. Mum has kept them hidden until now, but we hope visitors can start to catch glimpses of these curious youngsters as mum lets them explore their woodland home”

Wildcats once roamed all over the UK, including Kent and the South East. Persecution and habitat destruction drove them north into their last refuges in Scotland, but this year scientists classified them as functionally extinct as so few have been observed. Wildwood Director & Founder Peter Smith said: “This shocking news should spur everyone to call for the immediate reintroduction of wildcats and ensure enough land is rewilded to guarantee their survival.” “After successful reintroductions & habitat protection wildcat numbers are expanding across Europe, once again Britain has been shown up to have one of the most damaged ecosystems in the world, immediate action is needed to rewild the UK and stop the wasteful misuse of our land and natural resources. “ Recent scientific analysis has shown that reintroduction to Kent, Sussex and Surrey would give wildcats the best chance of survival and Wildwood Trust is partnering with other organisations to call for Wildcat reintroductions to be put in place. British Wildcats are just some of the huge range of British animals that can be seen at the Wildwood Park near Canterbury. For more information visit our website at www.wildwoodtrust.org or telephone 01227 712111. Wildwood's 'Wildlife Conservation Park' is an ideal day out for all the family where you can come 'nose to nose' with British Wildlife. Wildwood offers its members and visitors a truly inspirational way to learn about the natural history of Britain by actually seeing the wildlife that once lived here, like the wolf, beaver, red squirrel, wild boar and many more. Wildwood is situated close to Canterbury, just off the A291 between Herne Bay and Canterbury.                                                    *****ENDS*****   VIDEO / IMAGES ARE AVAILABLE ON REQUEST  CONTACT Wildwood Trust: +44(0)1227 712 111 Peter Smith: peter@wildwoodtrust.org or 07986 828229 Dan Farrow: dan.farrow@wildwoodtrust.org or 01227 209617     FOLLOW US Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewildwoodtrust Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/WildwoodTrust Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/thewildwoodtrust   ABOUT WILDWOOD Wildwood Trust opened in 1999 as a centre of excellence for the conservation of British wildlife, and was established as a registered charity in 2002. Wildwood is Kent's best British wildlife park. Home to over 200 native animals, past and present and set in 40 acres of beautiful ancient woodland where visitors can see bears, wolves, bison, deer, owls, foxes, red squirrels, wild boar, lynx, wild horses, badgers and beavers plus many more. As one of the leading British animal conservation charities in the UK, Wildwood Trust is dedicated to saving Britain's most threatened wildlife. Wildwood Trust have taken part in many ground-breaking conservation programmes to date, which include, saving the water vole, using wild horses to help restore Kent's most precious nature reserves, bringing the extinct European beaver back to Britain and returning the hazel dormouse & red squirrel to areas where they have been made extinct.

Wildwood Trust Herne Common Herne Bay Kent CT6 7LQ Registered Charity No: 1093702 Wildwood Kent: 01227 712 111 Wildwood Devon: 01404 822 188 info@wildwoodtrust.org