AN appeal for people to become ‘wildlife guardians’ to help protect hunting no-go areas on Exmoor has been made by the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS).

The league has to date bought 10 sites for sanctuaries on Exmoor with money donated by supporters, including Baronsdown Wildlife Reserve, near Brompton Regis.

An LACS spokesperson said: “This 250-acre wildlife reserve sits in the heart of Exmoor, an area notorious for hunting and shooting.

“A fox cub has just been born on this donor-funded wildlife haven, wide-eyed, playful, and full of promise.

“She explores her woodland home under the watchful eyes of her mother, surrounded by the sounds of buzzing bees, rustling tree leaves, and the joyous melodies of birdsong.

“Here she is safe, thanks to the thoughtful and caring support of people like you.

“People like you whose actions and commitment are helping to end cruel sports.

“But, just beyond the boundaries of this peaceful sanctuary, she would not be safe.

“Even at such a young age our fox cub would already be living in constant fear of being pursued, tormented, and even killed.

“To the north, south, east and west, on all points of the compass, our newborn cub is surrounded by ‘sporting’ parties’.

“These hunting groups relentlessly target wildlife such as our young fox cub, as well as deer, badgers, pheasants, and otters.”

The spokesperson said people could help the work of the league by becoming a ‘wildlife guardian’, somebody who takes action to protect the freedom of animals.

They said: “You have the power to make a difference.

“Thanks to the support of ‘wildlife guardians’ like you, Baronsdown has become a beacon of nature conservation.

“Rare species of bats now call the reserve home.

“And thanks to donor-funded nesting boxes, creatures like the endangered hazel dormouse are flourishing.”