Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre

Veterinary pathologist Vic Simpson has begun his "retirement" by setting up Britain's first ever Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre, in partnership with the Cornwall Wildlife Trust.

Fieke and Vic at the Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre.
Photograph by Roy Bailey.

The centre was officially opened on 31st August 2001 by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust's President, Dr Tony Stebbing, and the event was given considerable coverage on television and in local and national press.

Vic Simpson's work as a wildlife pathologist has long been appreciated by the Trust's Otter Group, which brought him road casualties for post-mortem during the 1980s and 90s. Chemical analysis of the otters reinforced the case for banning certain pesticides, like dieldrin, as well as making people aware of the scale of road casualties. Some will know of Vic's work on swan deaths in the 70s. This resulted in the banning of anglers' lead shot, saving thousands of swans every year. Others will know of his research on stranded cetaceans, which provided essential information to identify causes of death; typically 80% of dolphin strandings show the characteristic signs of death in a trawl.

These achievements were recognised nationally at the BBC Animal Awards. Many will have seen this on television and wish to congratulate him, feeling as I do that it is so well deserved. Vic has applied his skills as a veterinary pathologist to help solve the various man-made problems for wildlife. For those concerned at losses due to pollution, road traffic or as the by-catch of trawlers, action to protect wildlife depends crucially on the evidence from post-mortem examinations.

Volunteer Jan Loveridge at the Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre.
Photograph by Kate Stokes.

Vic has set up the Wildlife VIC with three main objectives:

• To investigate incidents of wildlife mortality, such as where numbers of animals are reported dead or dying.
• To monitor the health status of wildlife, especially those species in decline or threatened.
• To examine healthy specimens and build a database of normal values. These would include things like body weight, organ size, tissue trace element levels and blood counts.

The next stage is to set up projects to study species in decline and Vic has applied for funds for work on: a) stoats and weasels; b) barn owls and kestrels; c) bats. If these applications are successful, the specimens currently held in deep freeze will be examined and others sought.

Vic's plans depend largely on you. He needs your help in supplying wildlife casualties, volunteers to assist in his work, people to transport bodies to the centre - and, of course, funding!

Vic has made many important discoveries in his career.

His examinations of owls, raptors, mammals and other creatures are currently limited by lack of funds.

Bodyline

For the various projects to be successful it is important that:

• Wildlife casualties are reported quickly. Please call Vic directly on (01872) 560623 or the Cornwall Wildlife Trust on (01872) 273939.
• Specimens must be examined whilst they are fresh.

We therefore need a network of volunteers who would be prepared to deliver small bodies from their areas. If you travel regularly to Truro, would you be prepared to go on a list of couriers? We are calling this "Bodyline". Bodies could be dropped off at the Wildlife VIC, Chacewater, or the Trust at Allet.

Other items that may be of interest:

• Wildlife Veterinary Investigation Centre newsletters
• Bodyline
• Otters in Cornwall
• Cornwall Otter Diary
• Mammals in Cornwall
• Cornwall Mammal Group