AT SOME workplaces it's just not possible to shut up shop during the lockdown – and that's certainly the case at the National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross.

No matter what happens, the Wee County site remains open seven days a week, 365 days a year, to care for Scotland's wildlife.

Run by the Scottish SPCA, it was purpose-built in 2012 and looks after around 10,000 animals every year.

As hard as that task already is, staff at the site are now working even harder to ensure they can carry on their vital work while also reducing the risks posed by the rapid spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus).

The Advertiser spoke to the centre's wildlife manager, Steven Gray, to find out more about his team's incredible work during the pandemic.

He said: "We're the largest wildlife hospital in Scotland, and one of the largest in the United Kingdom.

"If it's wildlife, it comes here.

"We are coping well at the moment: we've still got a full complement of staff.

"But we have to be prepared, and we're assuming it's a normal year where in April and May we start to get busy with the young birds.

"We've already got fox cubs and squirrels coming in.

"We have over 200 animals at the moment – that's manageable."

The biggest risk facing the Fishcross team is the risk of staff ending up in self-isolation.

With many of those working at the centre specialising in different areas, it's vital that everyone working there stays healthy.

Steven said: "Our number one priority at the moment is to look after our team of staff.

"We've got skilled and dedicated staff here, and we have to be careful, so they remain working.

"If something comes in and one of them had picked up the virus and had to self-isolate, it will become very difficult."

An unfortunate consequence of the steps being taken to reduce that risk is that almost all community support has had to be paused.

Steven was clear that the assistance provided by locals on a regular basis is invaluable to the rescue centre.

However, for the time being, it must be put on hold to reduce the contact between members of centre's staff and members of the public.

He said: "It's difficult, because we have a lot of regular local people at the centre that donate food and newspapers (for bedding).

"But we've had to suspend that at the moment.

"We're just trying to be as strict as we possibly can, so it's not appropriate at the moment

"It's quite frustrating because we have a lot of people who do want to give us their time.

"And we do have regular people and we're so thankful for the fact they do come in.

"But I think they understand the current situation we are in means that they can't do that."

And Steven was keen to stress that while that community support cannot continue for now, it will be vital that it resumes once the pandemic is over.

He said: "We don't want to lose that link we have with the local community – we'd like to keep it going at the other end of this."

In the meantime, his team will continue working as best they to care for Scotland's wildlife.

In the past week, 15 seals had been released back into the wild from the centre – and around 50 more remain on site.

And the team are also continuing to respond to callouts from members of the public.

Looking ahead, Steven – like everyone else in the country – was unsure at what the immediate future will hold.

However, for now, he was confident his team will keep up their work.

He said: "We're coping, and we are coping quite well.

"If we protect out staff, we can still get through this."

Anyone who spots an animal in need of help should call 03000 999 999.