Concerns as hedgehogs leave hibernation early
HEDGEHOGS are coming out of hibernation despite freezing temperatures.
Guernsey Hedgehog Rescue Centre founder Dawn Robin has asked islanders to keep an eye out for any hogs out and about, use strimmers with care and bring hogs in to be looked after until the weather warms.
She said it wasn’t normal for the endangered species to be coming out so early.
‘Sometimes they wake at the end of February, but to come out now is a disaster for them.
‘It’s so cold that it will be very tough for them. We are saying to anybody, if they find any hedgehogs to check them over and we can help them out. This is the time of year we really need to support them as the girls will be coming out to breed soon.’
Hedgehogs sometimes return to hibernation, Ms Robin said, but without plenty of brown fat storage in their bodies they will not wake again.
Ticks, fleas, and other parasites reduce chances further.
‘After a few months under they get unwanted guests which will suck the blood out of them and make them anaemic. If they are brought in, we can remove all of these to give them a good chance.’
Currently Ms Robin has 12 hedgehogs under her care, with another 20 spread over suitable foster carers, which will be kept in until March.
GHRC had one hedgehog in on Tuesday and another on Wednesday, with severe strimming damage.
‘If you are taking out a strimmer, please take a look before you do. Don’t just throw a strimmer under a hedge.’
Compost heaps are popular hibernation spots.
‘These are very warm areas and are wonderful for them to hibernate in.’
Leaving meat-based cat food out will encourage hedgehogs into gardens, which can be checked to avoid attracting rats.
Hedgehogs can be picked up wearing gloves and put in a box with air holes to be taken to the centre.
It has a box outside for them to be dropped off in while maintaining social distancing.
‘They are an endangered animal now and we really need to be thinking about it all the time. Even if people want to call for advice we are always here.’
Replacing hedges and hedgerows with fencing or walls removes food sources and ways for hedgehogs to move from garden to garden, encouraging more into roads.
Leaving an arch or gap in fences and walls goes a long way.
Currently the GSPCA has over 130 hedgehogs in its care, with one or two often rescued daily.
. Call Dawn at 07781 144250 for advice if you find a hedgehog out of hibernation or the GSPCA on 257261 or 07781 104082.
