kids encyclopedia robot

Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary
General information
Location Mousehole, Cornwall, England
Coordinates 50°5′2″N 5°32′17″W / 50.08389°N 5.53806°W / 50.08389; -5.53806

The Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary is a special place. It is a hospital and safe home for wild birds. It is located near Mousehole, a village in west Cornwall, England.

Helping Birds in Need

This hospital helps both land birds and sea birds. They care for birds that are hurt or sick. The main goal is to heal them. Then, they are released back into the wild.

If a bird cannot go back to the wild, it gets a permanent home. These birds live safely at the sanctuary. Birds that are too sick to recover are humanely put down. This prevents them from suffering.

Every year, about 1,000 birds receive treatment. Around 80 birds live at the hospital permanently. The staff care for all the birds every single day of the year. They continue the traditions set by the people who started the hospital.

A Look at Its History

The hospital was founded in 1928. It was started by two sisters, Dorothy and Phyllis Yglesias. Over the years, the sanctuary became very famous.

It gained special attention in 1967. This was during the Torrey Canyon disaster. A huge oil spill happened at sea. More than 8,000 oiled birds were brought to the hospital for help.

In 2022, a serious bird illness spread. This was an outbreak of bird flu. Sadly, the hospital had to close. All the birds under the hospital's care had to be humanely put down. This was done to stop the illness from spreading further.

See also

  • List of animal sanctuaries
kids search engine
Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital and Sanctuary Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.