Hedgehog Care at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
Hedgehogs at risk - an introduction from Suffolk Wildlife Trust
The People’s Trust for Endangered Species and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society have both documented a nation-wide decline in the hedgehog population. It is thought the numbers of hedgehogs have reduced by up to a third in urban areas and over half in rural areas in the last ten years.
Alarmingly, research carried out by the Wildlife Trusts revealed that 40% of children have never seen a hedgehog in the wild! Further research also sadly confirmed that fewer people are reporting hedgehogs in areas where they were once common.
Why the decline?
The decline of hedgehog populations is likely the result of a range of factors, not least the loss of suitable places for them to nest and feed.
An increase in urbanisation has lead to a rise in busy roads and traffic, and as a result, an increased risk of mortality for hedgehogs.
Over the last 30 years, the change from pastoral farming to arable crops will have played a big role in the decline of food availability. An increased use of chemicals kills the creatures hedgehogs need to eat, not to mention also directly poisoning the hedgehogs themselves.
Is your garden hedgehog-happy?
This all means that our gardens are becoming increasingly important refuges for hedgehogs.
Download our FREE leaflet for tips on how to make your garden hedgehog-happy and how to welcome our prickly friends to your garden.
Hedgehog Hotel at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary
A hedgehog hotel has been set up here at Suffolk Owl Sanctuary, initially to provide wintering accommodation for hibernating hedgehogs in an effort to support the overflow and enormity of requests from Suffolk Prickles Hedgehog Rescue.
A second phase of this project and installation will be to provide recuperation facilities for recovering hedgehogs who have been rescued, allowing them to be housed and treated on site by the Suffolk Prickles Hedgehog Rescue team.
We are very excited to see this partnership develop, and to work to relieve the load pressuring our local wildlife rescue services.
When should you help a hedgehog?
A hedgehog with bright eyes, a rounded bottom and out at night is generally a healthy hedgehog.
If you find a hedgehog out during the day there is usually a problem with its health. There are however some exceptions to this.
If the hedgehog is behaving in a PURPOSEFUL MANNER then it could be a weaning mother, or a juvenile foraging."
If you have found a hedgehog that looks sick, lost, injured or dehydrated, call Suffolk Prickles Hedgehog Rescue on 07469 177 090