Hedgehog rehabilitation requires specialist knowledge of nutrition, wound care, and hibernation management to return injured and orphaned individuals to the wild.
Hedgehogs admitted to rehabilitation have often experienced traumatic injuries or abandonment that cause immediate welfare distress. Immediate first aid to control pain and stabilise the animal is essential. The stress of captivity is minimised by quiet, warm housing, appropriate feeding, and minimal handling. Release timing is critical - underweight hedgehogs released in autumn face certain winter starvation, making overwintering in care the welfare-correct decision despite extended captivity.