Kildare Wildlife Rescue

We are delighted to have Dr Bobby Ortiz, an exotics specialist join us on day 2 of our conference with his talk "Tiny Veins, Big Challenges: IV and IO Access in Wildlife."

Gaining reliable vascular access can be challenging in small, critically ill or dehydrated wildlife patients. This practical session will explore the placement and management of intravenous and intraosseous catheters in commonly encountered birds and small mammals. Attendees will learn when each route is most appropriate, how to select suitable sites and equipment, and how to adapt their technique to the patient’s size, anatomy and clinical condition. The session will review safe restraint and positioning, catheter stabilisation, confirmation of correct placement and important avian considerations, including avoiding pneumatic bones during intraosseous catheterisation. Common complications such as unsuccessful placement, dislodgement alongside practical strategies for preventing them as well as ways to confirm placement. Using clinical examples and step-by-step guidance, this session aims to build confidence in establishing safe and effective access for fluid therapy, emergency medications and ongoing supportive care in wildlife patients.



Tickets are on sale now, link in bio.
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/kildare-biodiversity-conference-2026-tickets-1996629454446

Just when we thought orphan season was starting to wrap up, we admitted two otter cubs (26-4469 and 4470) from Lettermullen, Galway.

These cubs are a perfect example of what can be accomplished when wildlife rescues work together. After intial contact being made with us, a cross country relay was organised with Galway Claddagh Swan Rescue ( Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue ) to get them into our care. Four volunteers gave up their Sunday to ensure these cubs made it safely to the centre where they will continue thier rehabilitation journey.

These Otter cubs are now being cared for around the clock. At approximately 5 weeks of age, their eyes have just begun to open and they still depend on volunteers for bottle feeding. They will be in our care for the next year as they grow and develop.

If you would like to support our efforts and help grow these Otter cubs to adulthood, please consider joining our Patreon community. As a charity, Patreon memberships form an important part of our funding, and you can join for as little as €5 a month. Becoming a member allows you access to our newsletters with behind the scenes insights and exclusive talks with wildlife heroes. Link in bio. www.patreon.com/kwr

We are delighted to announce our first speaker for day one of our 4th Biodiversity Conference - Dr Adam Smith. The title of Adams talk is "The Life and Death of Deer in Irish Landscapes"

Deer are Ireland’s largest terrestrial wildlife and have environmental and cultural importance. Over hundreds of years, both environmental and human influences have changed their distribution, abundance, and behaviour.

In the last decades, deer have been identified as a key stumbling block to nature restoration in Ireland, due to locally overabundant deer grazing and browsing vegetation. This particularly affects native forests and other sensitive habitats that are targets for restoration and conservation. Deer can also affect trees grown for forestry, compete with livestock for grassland forage, and are implicated as reservoirs of important diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans. In areas of high abundance, they are also involved in numerous road vehicle collisions.

Despite increasing numbers of deer hunted every year, many of these problems persist. From historical pitfalls to modern dilemmas, Adam will discuss the context of Irish deer issues, as well as ongoing research which is putting the data in place to inform their management.

Tickets are now available!
https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/kildare-biodiversity-conference-2026-tickets-1996629454446

Link in bio.



Kildare County Council Adam F. Smith

On June 19th we admitted this young Kestrel (26-2678) from Edenderry. Still a dependent juvenile, trained volunteers fed the young bird every two hours until they began to feed on their own.

Whenever possible it is always best practice to raise young animals of the same species together to avoid imprinting. Fortunately, with two other nestling kestrels in care, we were able to introduce them to eachother and form a family group.

When the time was right, the group moved to one of our outdoor prerelease aviaries where they have been able to practice flying and they will soon be ready to return to life in the wild.

Did you know Kestrels are a red listed species?

Swipe for "now" photo to see how far they've come!

You may notice there is a steel ring in the second photo and not the first. This ring was fitted by a licensed BTO bird ringer ahead of release, and if the kestrel is ever recovered again we will know their history!

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Applications are now open for both Autumn and Spring work placements at our Rehabilitation Centre in Kildare town.

This placement is suitable for third level students looking for a work placement as part of their ongoing studies. Please note, however, that this is not a clinical placement.

Placements run on a weekly basis over 8-10 weeks and offer students hands-on experience with all aspects of working in a busy rehabilitation centre. While on placement, you will be part of our friendly, hard working team and can avail of our monthly workshops and Lunch & Learns. Initial training will be provided prior to coming on site.

To enquire further or to request an application form, please email [email protected]. Applications for the autumn term close on Friday 16th September at 5pm.

Tickets for the Kildare Biodiversity Conference 2026 are now on sale!

Join us on 17th & 18th October 2026 at the Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, for one of Ireland's leading biodiversity events.

Organised by Kildare Wildlife Rescue in partnership with Kildare County Council, the Kildare Biodiversity Conference brings together ecologists, conservationists, community groups, landowners, educators, wildlife rehabilitators, policymakers and nature enthusiasts from across Ireland and beyond to share knowledge, inspire action and build lasting collaborations for biodiversity.

The conference is open to everyone with an interest in nature and biodiversity. Whether you're a professional working in the sector, a volunteer, a student, a landowner, or simply someone who wants to learn more about protecting Ireland's natural heritage, you'll find inspiring speakers, practical insights and meaningful conversations throughout the event.

This year's conference will once again feature two inspiring days of expert speakers, engaging discussions and practical insights, including a dedicated day focused on wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary care for Ireland's native species.

Together, we can learn, connect and take action for nature.

https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/kildare-biodiversity-conference-2026-tickets-1996629454446?aff=oddtdtcreator

Link in Bio

Kildare County Council The Heritage Council National Biodiversity Data Centre Wildlife Rescue Cork Bat Rehabilitation Ireland Hedgehog Rescue Dublin The Hogsprickle Wildlife VN 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 APVN (Wildlife) Hedgehog Conservation Ireland Malcolm Noonan Dúlra, Cill Dara | Forest School | Outdoor Learning Irish Beekeepers Association Breeding Waders EIP Dr Hedgehog 🦔 (Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen) Dr. Bobby Ortiz Lawrie Brailey Urban Fox Survey Conservation Detection Dogs NI Seán Byrne Galway & Claddagh Swan Rescue Lisa Kavanagh Corvid Research Study Dooletter Wildlife Rescue Louth Barn Owl Project Collie Ennis Wildacres Seal Rescue Ireland

This young heron (26-4284) was transported to the centre by one of our volunteers after a concerned member of public contacted our Help Desk.

Unable to fly from out of the finders garden, the heron was contained and brought in for care. On arrival to our Wildlife Clinic, a thorough examination revealed the heron was suffering from a fractured radius.

They are now recieving supportive care and pain relief and we are optimistic that they will soon be able to return to the wild.

We were delighted to welcome Senator Malcolm Noonan and his daughter Kitty to KWR yesterday. Malcolm has visited several times since we opened and has been a strong advocate for wildlife rehabilitation, taking time to hear about the challenges rehabilitators face every day. He recognises the vital role we play in conservation and treats rehabilitators as equal partners in that work.

Malcolm led the recent cross‑party motion in the Seanad calling for a dedicated fund for wildlife rehabilitators. Although the result was not what we had hoped, we remain committed to campaigning for meaningful support. Minister O’Sullivan pledged during his speech in the Seanad to visit us, and we look forward to showing him firsthand our commitment to conservation and biodiversity.