Hedgehogs are now emerging from their hibernation, and if you see one out during the day and it looks like it’s wobbly, or staying still, looking like they are sun bathing, they may need your help.
“Hedgehogs don’t sunbathe and really most never emerge till dusk,” says Karen Weighell, who runs Karen’s Hedgehogs Rehab, a local small rescue/ rehab for hedgehogs. “It’s very poorly and seeking help.
“These hedgehogs are most likely to be females that will be shortly gathering bedding for nests,” she explains, “and will going about their business, sometimes during the day with purpose and vigour.
“It’s important you watch it,” she cautions. “Is it going about its business [or is it looking like it’s wobbly, or staying still]?
“If in doubt rescue and take to either the vets or a rescue,” she urges.
“We have rescued numerous Hedgehogs over the last six years,” she added. “For the first four years we took them to rescues far and wide, including Dalton, Blackpool and Preston, or just overwintered them. So we decided we could go one up and rescue for Lancaster and surrounding areas.
“We went on the Vale wildlife hospital course last year and took in several poorly and underweight. We lost two after taking to the vets and given treatment over a fortnight. I was heartbroken, but it’s part of doing our best.
“We have successfully released several now and love the fact we are helping our Red Listed for extinction little prickly friends.”
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, which is celebrating 40 years of work this year, is running a national Hedgehog Awareness Week from 1st – 7th May, an annual event that aims to highlight the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them.
• Karen can be contacted by mobile on 07786 017280. You can her for advice, or find her on NextDoor
• Love hedgehogs? Support the British Hedgehog Preservation Society
Founded in 1982, The British Hedgehog Preservation Society is a registered UK Charity (number 1164542) dedicated to helping and protecting hedgehogs native to the UK (Erinaceus europaeus). Through their campaigns, advocacy and educational projects, they work to raise awareness of the practical steps we can take to help reverse the decline of hedgehogs in the wild, improve their welfare and safeguard the future of this much-loved animal. The BHPS also fund research that provides important new insights into the conservation and welfare of hedgehogs.