Ireland's only wildlife hospital in need of 'serious funding' as it seeks new home

The first and only hospital for wildlife in Ireland is appealing for financial help as it tries to find a new location.

The Wildlife Rehabilitation Ireland (WRI) facility in Co Meath has helped around 2,500 wild animals since it opened in February, but the lease at its current premises is about to expire.

The charity has looked at 90 potential sites but has yet to secure one.

Aoife McPartlin, the organisation's media and education officer, told Sky News: "We need funding, that's the bottom line... very serious funding."

She said the cost of relocation will be around €200,000 (£170,000). "That's just to move, before we can even open the door and start operating. It's absolutely colossal."

WRI now wants the Irish government to help bail them out.

Ms McPartlin said: "We're talking continuously about a biodiversity and climate emergency within our government and this is it. This is how they can really step up and show that they are very serious about that emergency."