Rescue
People who find injured or orphaned hedgehogs will usually contact their local Vet to find out what to do next. Vets will normally check and give treatment if the hedgehog is in need; the vets would then contact a local carer or their nearest wildlife centre, so they can arrange for the hedgehog to be taken in and cared for.
Rehabilitation
Getting a hedgehog fit and healthy depends on many things; for example the most important part of any hedgehog's life depends on their weight. They need to put on enough fat reserves to see them through winter when they hibernate. If, however, they have been rescued in late summer they may not gain enough weight in time to survive being released back into the wild. At the Hog's Lodge those that are underweight in the autumn are fed and cared for; kept warm so as they do not hibernate and then when the spring arrives they are ready for release back into the wild.
Release
All hedgehogs are released back into the wild when they are fit and healthy; wherever possible they are returned closely to where they were found. A safe area is identified and they are released; many people who originally found the hedgehog welcome them back to be returned in to their garden.
Sanctuary
The final part of my work is to offer any disabled hedgehogs Sanctuary if they are unable to return to the wild. Most of our residents have lost a limb and would find it hard to survive back in the wild.
Tue Feb 26, 2013 3:42 pm
