Staff at temporarily closed Black Country animal sanctuary 'take time' over sad announcement
Staff at a Sedgley animal sanctuary are mourning the loss of one of their most loved residents while the site remains temporarily closed following storm damage.
The team at Brockswood Animal Sanctuary confirmed that Sandy, a female emu who had quickly become a favourite with staff and visitors, died suddenly a few weeks ago.
In a message shared with supporters, the sanctuary said it had taken time before announcing the news as the loss had deeply affected the team.
The sanctuary remains temporarily closed after it was hit hard by Storm Goretti, but an enormous community effort followed - raising tens of thousands in just days to help rebuild the much-loved attraction.
Sandy arrived at the sanctuary to keep company with Malcolm, the resident male emu who had been living alone after losing his long-time companion, Edwina. Staff had hoped to find the right bird to share his paddock again and give him some much-needed companionship.
Sandy had a story of her own. Before arriving she had also been living on her own after struggling to get along with other emus she had previously lived with.
Keepers said introductions between emus can sometimes be unpredictable, so they took things slowly when Sandy first arrived. However, any concerns quickly disappeared.
“Almost immediately the two chose each other,” the sanctuary said.
Before long the pair were rarely seen apart. Wherever Malcolm wandered, Sandy would follow, and when Sandy went off exploring, Malcolm was never far behind.
Staff said seeing Malcolm with a companion again meant a great deal to the team and to visitors who enjoyed watching the pair together.
Sandy was known for her calm nature, something the sanctuary said is not always typical for female emus at certain times of the year.
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She was also particularly fond of water, happily splashing around whenever there were puddles, showers or anything else she could turn into a small pool during the warmer months.
After her sudden death, a veterinary investigation found that Sandy had been suffering from egg peritonitis, a condition that can affect egg-laying birds and can develop without obvious warning signs.
The sanctuary said it is now keeping a close eye on Malcolm, who is adjusting to life on his own again.
Although Sandy cannot be replaced, staff say they are already in discussions with another collection about the possibility of providing a home for emus that may need one in the future.
Supporters have been asked to follow the sanctuary’s social media pages for updates on when it will reopen.
Despite her short time there, staff said Sandy made a lasting impression.
“She may only have been part of Brockswood for a short while, but she left a very big mark on our hearts.”
