Hedgehog warning to gardeners
The Scottish SPCA is urging people to take extra care when tidying up their gardens this summer following an influx of baby hedgehogs that have become separated from their mums.
We fear this increase in orphaned hoglets may be partly due to their mothers sustaining gardening-related injuries and deaths. The warning comes after an adult hedgehog was brought into our care last week with fatal lacerations caused by a strimmer.
Our Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fife is currently caring for over 40 hedgehogs, many of them youngsters.
Centre Manager Colin Seddon said, "Many of our hogs are youngsters who have been found out during the day and struggling to survive on their own.
"Normally hedgehogs would be doing very well at this time of year so it's unusual to get so many poorly ones coming in.
"We know that lots of people will be tidying up their gardens as summer draws to a close and the wetter weather moves in, so gardening-related hedgehog injuries and deaths might be part of the reason for this increase.
"The adult hedgehog that came into us last week had been tragically and severely wounded across its back after being accidentally hit with the blade of a strimmer. Sadly, the only humane option was to put it to sleep.
"In a way it's lucky that this hedgehog was discovered and we were able to relieve its suffering relatively quickly. Many hedgehogs that sustain injuries will hide in undergrowth and hedgerows and suffer very slow and painful deaths, resulting in their dependent young being orphaned.
"These sorts of accidents are very preventable if people took just a few moments to check their gardens before getting out the lawnmower, strimmer or hedge-trimmer. It could save an animal's life."
Anyone who discovers a sick or injured hedgehog, particularly during the day time, should call our Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.