Nigel Reeve analysed data collected by Dru Burdon in Jersey, to establish what ailments the animals most commonly suffered from and what success the Jersey rehabilitators had in restoring their sick hedgehogs to a healthy life. There were 3,177 admissions in 9 years (1995 - 2005), equivalent of 4% of the total hedgehog population of Jersey. Two thirds of them were treated and released, 30% died and the rest were "kept in". About 50% of the intake were suffering from natural problems such as parasites, the rest were injured, poisoned or orphaned. Over half of the orphans survived and were released. The lungworms Crenosoma and Capillaria were particularly common and 48% of the animals were examined were infected by both types. There were only a few tapeworm infections.
Released animals were ear tagged and 185 animals were found again, with nearly half having survived more than one year, many being seen more than once and one animals lived more than 5 years after release.
Fri Aug 03, 2012 9:09 am