HEDGEHOG CARE & REHAB - PLYMOUTH PL5

Hedgehogs are amazing creatures, but over the years I have realised that there are so many potential dangers that can cause them injury or even to be killed - that only by sharing some of these with our friends, neighbours, families and work colleagues - that we may be able to prevent so many hedgehogs becoming casualties and needing our help.   Please share these with the people you know, so that we can have healthy hedgehogs in safe, 'hedgehog-friendly' environments.

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If a hedgehog is interested always get it checked out immediately by a recognised hedgehog carer or vet.  If it is healthy and it is safe to put back where it came from this is important as it could be a mother with young that need feeding, and it will know that area for food sources and nest sites.  You can always check this with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society on 01584 890801 or try Linda on 07585230527.

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Most of the following have been the case experienced by hedgehogs brought to me over the years.

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Enthusiasatic gardening?

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Vigorous weeding -  pulling up clumps of leafy plants can sadly include a mother with newly born babies being scattered 

Strimmers under hedges, or through long grass

Garden forks, especially into compost piles, - where hedgehogs often hibernate or have their babies

Demolishing garden sheds - where hedgehogs find a safe, dry place to nest

Moving plastic sheeting that's been left in the garden - where hedgehogs nest

Fruit netting that is loose - hedgehogs become tangled in this, as there natural action is to circle when trapped and this then forms a tourniquet around the top of their legs and bodies - It is good to get any hedgehog that has been tangled in netting to be checked by a hedgehog carer as small fibres can be left around the tops of legs and will cause infections, or the hedgehog may have become very dehydrated if trapped for a while

Burning pampas grass - as hedgehogs often nest at the bottom of these

Pots and watering cans left upright can collect rain water, or with water in can trap hedgehogs or drown them

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Bonfires - please move a metre from the original bonfire site immediately before burning to avoid burning a nesting hedgehog.  Hedgehogs will not run away when you start the fire so are often badly injured.

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Poisons

slug pellets

mouse or rat poison

lawn feeds

pesticides

insecticides

humane rat or squirrel traps - can trap untargetted hedgehogs and keep them from returning to their babies, or cause the hedgehog to become hypothermic- Therefore these would need to be placed very carefully and used in accordance with DEFRA guidelines

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Water features

Ponds - need gentle slopes or rocks and stones built up at points around the side of the pond,  from under the water to just above the surface of the water so that hedgehogs can get a grip and scramble out (rather than swimming around until they are exhausted and drown)

Drains - covers will stop unsuspecting hedgehogs falling down and not being able to get out, especially young hoglets

Canalized streams

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Dogs - even a small puncture wound from a dog can become infected and form an absce - please always get checked immediately by a recognized hedgehog carer or vet

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Walls and fences - need a 5 inch by 5 inch hole through them to avoid hedgehogs being cut off from essential food supplies, and mating partners.

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Car hits

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Removing from a road area, or home location to a finder's garden or new woodland/park area - leaving babies to starve; or a hoglet removed from its mother; or a hedgehog moved away from its known territory - food sites and nest sites.

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