Wildlife

Wild Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation

Hedgehog populations in Britain have declined sharply. Rescue and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned hedgehogs provides welfare help for individual animals while conservation work addresses population drivers.

Key Facts

British hedgehog populations have declined by approximately 50% since 2000
Common rescue presentations include underweight juveniles in autumn, road casualties, and garden hazard injuries
Hedgehogs need to reach 650g before hibernation to survive winter
Hoglets (young hedgehogs) found alone require immediate intervention as they cannot survive without mother care
Wildlife rehabilitation centres and licensed carers provide specialist treatment for injured hedgehogs

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehogs are frequently found in distress from garden hazard injuries (netting, strimmers, garden forks), starvation, vehicle collisions, and disease. Underweight autumn hedgehogs that cannot reach hibernation weight face slow death from energy depletion. Prompt rescue, appropriate nutrition, and veterinary treatment significantly improve survival rates. Garden hazard modification and supplementary feeding stations provide preventive welfare benefits at low cost.

What You Can Do

Check bonfires before lighting for hibernating hedgehogs
Clear garden netting and secure garden chemicals that trap or poison hedgehogs
Leave small gaps in garden boundaries at ground level to allow hedgehog movement
Provide supplementary cat food or hedgehog food with water during autumn
Contact specialist hedgehog rescue organisations if you find an injured or underweight hedgehog