By Isle of Wight Observer
There is good news for the wildlife at Shanklin’s Big Mead pond. Thanks to a dedicated community-led effort, the first official water tanker arrived on July 7, bringing a much-needed boost to the local habitat.
When a recent inspection highlighted that the pond’s water levels had dipped dramatically, local community representatives organised a series of vital water deliveries that will continue weekly throughout the summer.
Residents recall previous years when persistent issues with a water pipe – which had historically fed the pond – caused it to all but run dry. The dry spells created devastating conditions for the fish, birds, and other wildlife that rely on the pond.
The current rescue mission is a true team effort, and the success so far is thanks to the generosity of the local community. Island charity, Friends of the Animals, has paid for four tanker deliveries with many individuals also contributing to the fund-raising effort organised by Adrian Whittaker, which can be found at iw.observer/big-mead-fund.
While there is still work to be done to reach the pond’s full capacity, the momentum is growing. Every donation helps secure the next delivery, ensuring the wildlife can survive the heatwave.
Please also remember to leave out shallow bowls of water for local wildlife wherever you are on the Island, and replenish them regularly as the water very quickly evaporates in the current high temperatures.