Who We Are
Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue was founded by Zoologist, Dr Sasha Norris in 2008. Sasha has always adored animals of all kinds. as a child she spent hours in her Grandparent's garden in Whitecross area of Hereford watching hedgehogs snuffling in the lawns and mosquito larvae swimming in the pond. She says she cannot remember a time when she wasn't innately, utterly enraptured by animals. Sasha holds a First Class degree in Zoology from The University of Bristol (1993), a PhD (D.Phil) in Animal Behaviour from The University of Oxford (1998) and following her passion for communicating about the Natural World and how to sustain it, she recently has returned to Somerville College in Oxford to gain a First Class Masters degree in Creative Writing (2022). She has worked, before and since HWR, in Television, print, online and radio to invite people to better understand and protect wildlife. She was the co-editor of the Oxford University Press 'Encyclopedia of Mammals', the author of 'SuperKid
Jacqui grew up in Dorstone, Herefordshire, with a fox in her house, spent 8 years volunteering for Cat Protection, and has accumulated a huge amount of experience with animals of all types. Her daughter Emma, who often assists Jacqui, gained the Best Graduate in her Animal Care course at Holme Lacey College in 2018. Her younger daughter, Holly and husband, Chris Mayne, who is the founder of Hereford local business C.M. Coatings also help. Chris builds many of the specially designed aviaries with his brilliant carpemtry skills. BOth Sasha and Jacqui are full time volunteers at HWR working all hours to help our local wildlife.
Expert advisory panel
Professor Ben Sheldon
a previous Head of Zoology at the University of Oxford, Ben is one of the world's top ornithologists as well as an extraordinarily brilliant birder! He can identify birds flying past the back of his head! He has helped HWR many times on highly specialised questions such as when the last migratory housemartin can leave Britain for Africa in the Autumn.
Jan Harrigan MBE
Jan established Wychbold Swan Sanctuary in the mid -1970's after she found a swan with a broken wing and nursed it back to health. She was awarded an MBE for services to the protection of swans and other river birds. now in her eighties, Jan has made a massive contribution to the understanding of swan behaviour, conservation and rehabilitation. Sasha has visited her many times, they have become friends and still regularly phones for world class advice on swan rescue work.
Professor Rick Death and other expert advisors....
Reaching out to others who know better who can augment our knowledge is a crucial part of our approach at Herefordshire Wildlife Rescue. We have accumulated a massive amount of knowledge over many years of working with injured wildlife, but when we don't know or are unsure, we still ask. Derek Gow has advised on badger and fox rehabilitation, Prof Rick D'eath on housing pigs safely. Professor David Macdonald on the chances of releasing a fox with one eye.
Other organisations we consult and collaborate with:
Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital, Vale Wildlife hospital, The Swan Sanctuary,