Greening Wymondham

The Golden Rule: If you find a Hedgehog during daytime, most often something is very wrong.  Seek Help.

 

For help try the following LOCAL Contacts:

 

Hallswood Animal Sanctuary

 

Over winter 2020-21, Hallswood cared for over 300 hedgehogs, they have recently expanded their Hedgehog Hospital. 

Hallswood have an informative website including hedgehog pages which advise what to do if you find a hedgehog during the day.  Donations can be made on-line.

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Telephone: 0754 999 1920  Address: Sanctuary – at Stratton Strawless (just outside Horsford - north of Norwich)

Website: www.hallswood.co.uk

 

PACT Animal Sanctuary

 

In 2019, PACT had 600 hedgehogs come into the sanctuary needing care at their site at Woodrising, west of Wymondham.

PACT have a website including a hedgehog page which includes details of how to become a hedgehog foster carer.  Donations can be made on-line.

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Telephone: 01362 820775  Address: PACT Animal Sanctuary, River Farm, Woodrising, Hingham, Norfolk, NR9 4PJ

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Website: www.pactsanctuary.org

 

Norfolk Wildlife Rescue

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Norfolk Wildlife Rescue in a non-profit organisation, covers the county and rescue for all species needing assistance. These are then referred to the nearest suitable wildlife sanctuary.

They can be followed on Facebook - Norfolk Wildlife Rescue

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Telephone: 07932 844524  Address: Norwich

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What to do if you find a hedgehog in the daytime or an injured Hedgehog?

 

Note: A hedgehog moving in daytime may simply have been disturbed or, in a shady garden, be moving to a warmer spot to sleep.

 

A hedgehog found sleeping in the open or behaving oddly needs HELP.

 

• Can you see what’s wrong? Are there flies or injuries to the hedgehog?

• Put the hedgehog in a secure container or box – large enough for the hedgehog to move around in but secure enough that it cannot escape.

• A source of heat (if you can see fly eggs on the animal do not do this) – fill a container with hot water, wrap in a towel/old clothes and place by the hedgehog. The hedgehog needs to be able to move away from the heat if it so wishes.

• In non-tip bowls, provide some water and food. 

• Contact one of the sanctuaries above for advice and what to do next. Be prepared to take the hedgehog to a sanctuary.

 

Hedgehog diseases

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Very often, a hedgehog found in the open in daytime has been affected by disease. This is not always apparent when the hedgehog is found.

 

External - Ringworm – a fungal infection which can be seen by large scabs. Mange – a loss of fur, white powder on skin.

Internal - Parasites such as Roundworm (from worms), Fluke and Lungworm (from slugs and snails). 

 

All these diseases can be treated at animal sanctuaries.  The weaker the hedgehog, the more susceptible it will be to parasites and disease, seeing a hedgehog in daylight is often a sign that the hedgehog is seriously ill  - possibly starving or if hyperactive it has flukeworm.  Specialist treatment at an animal sanctuary is required.

 

Autumn -Winter

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Young hedgehogs in late autumn are particularly prone to starvation, a hedgehog must weigh at least 500-600 gms to be able to survive and hibernate through the winter.  The majority of arrivals at animal sanctuaries in the autumn are late born hedgehogs who weigh 200gms or less.  Animal Sanctuaries do a fantastic job helping these hedgehogs and many are released back into the gardens where they were found the following spring.

 

Why do Hedgehogs Starve

 

There are less beetles and invertebrates, food is scarcer. Global warming makes it harder for the hedgehogs to find food. Chemical Sprays kill the invertebrates. Loss of habitat – more concreted areas & less wildlife friendly gardens.