Since Lockdown There Has Been A Rise In Hedgehog Rescues On The Isle Of Wight

Thursday, 7 October 2021 11:42

By Iona Stewart-Richardson @IslandIona

Hedgehog rescues are on the rise on the Isle of Wight and have been since lockdown - according to the team that is on call Island-wide 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

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As previously reported, last year Isle of Wight hedgehog rescue saved a record number but volunteers are hoping to reach the 100 mark this year.

In previous years the rescue team would usually average at around 30 to 40 rescues a year.

One of the success stories of 2021 for volunteers is a little hedgehog who was rescued from Binstead, he was found with a hole in his pallet which was thought to be caused by a badger bite.

However, he was taken to the hedgehog hospital in Seaview to be cared for by Jackie, who looks after any hogs that cannot be released back into the wild. For the first time ever she managed to breed baby hedgehog triplets, as previously reported.

In a few weeks time, the hog will be released back into the wild in Binstead - once he has reached a weight of 650 grams - so he has more chance of surviving the winter.

Will Taylor, Volunteer at Isle of Wight Hedgehog Rescue told Isle of Wight Radio:

“Since lockdown really we have noticed a significant rise in the number of rescues we have to do and over the last few years hedgehog rescue has increased incredibly, we used to on average do about 30 to 40 a year but this year we have done 93 already. Last year we were quite upset because we got 99 but didn’t quite get to 100 but it’s looking quite promising as we have all the autumn juveniles to come.”

Will is also appealing to Islanders to not use pesticides because it results in the most painful death for hedgehogs which is “horrendous to watch”, he says there are many alternatives to slug pellets.

This weekend (Saturday and Sunday) there volunteers from Hedgehog Rescue Isle of Wight will be at the Hullabaloo event at Brown’s Golf Course in Sandown- hedgehogs will also be there for you to meet.

If you see a hedgehog out during the day, the likelihood is that it is in trouble, it could be three things, according to Will, a mum building a nest, a mum getting a break from the nest! or a hedgehog that has been disturbed.

One of the hedgehogs rescued, sitting outside his hut

If you are concerned about a hedgehog you can call the volunteers on 01983613145

Find out more about what the charity does or to donate, via the Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/saveourhedgehogs

If you have see a hedgehog on the Island - dead or alive - you must also ‘log’ your sighting which can be done by emailing the Isle of Wight Natural History and & Archaeological Society at [email protected]

Watch a video of the rescued hedgehog from Binstead eating happily and recovering...

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Since Lockdown There Has Been A Rise In Hedgehog Rescues On The Isle Of Wight

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