Ealing Hedgehog Friends was founded in 2023, to help support the rapidly declining population of native hedgehogs in our area. Like so many aspects of Nature, hedgehogs are in decline almost exclusively because of the detrimental actions of humans. The least we can do is rescue hedgehogs that need help.
WHEN TO RESCUE A HEDGEHOG AND WHEN TO LEAVE IT ALONE
The hedgehog rescue season reaches its peak in late summer. There are various reasons for rescue, depending on the life cycle of our hedgehog population:
- Spring: mainly undernourished hedgehogs, after a long hibernation
- Early summer: disturbed maternity nests are a huge problem, leaving vulnerable hoglets in danger
- July and August: newly independent young hedgehogs have left the care of their mother, and are now fending for themselves. They are vulnerable while they learn how to deal with solo life. Hot weather can be a huge problem even for mature hogs, leading to dehydration and exhaustion
- Autumn: the race is on to fatten up enough to hibernate. In particular, this year’s young hedgehogs need to feed as much as they can. They need to be about 600 grams to survive the winter – that’s the size of a large mango. Undersized young hedgehogs need feeding up before the long sleep
However, the question we face at all times is: SHOULD WE LEAVE THE HEDGEHOG ALONE, OR SHOULD WE INTERVENE?
Hedgehogs are wild animals and will undergo significant stress when taken from their habitat and handled by humans. We should only intervene when it’s necessary. On the other hand, if we don’t intervene promptly, a bad situation can worsen rapidly. We have seen many situations when well-meaning people have left a hedgehog alone, not wanting to “interfere with Nature”, and called us too late.
So how do we decide whether to intervene, and how can you help us?
- Hedgehogs are nocturnal, so being out in the day spells PROBLEM. It’s that simple. In almost all cases, hedgehogs out in the day need rescuing. They don’t sunbathe, or sit on the grass, or chill out on a park path. If you see a hedgehog out in the day and not moving quickly and purposefully, please think: “Rescue”. Please don’t think… “Well, I’ll leave it for a few hours and pop back later to see if it’s still there”, because the situation can deteriorate fast:
…in a few hours on a hot day, a hedgehog can dehydrate, causing significant health issues
…a hedgehog out on a warm day is a sitting target for flies, which will lay eggs on it, and they hatch into maggots within hours. That’s a terrible fate for any wild animal
…in a park or public place, an exposed hedgehog is prey to dogs or unpleasant humans.
- Can you see the problem? Is the hedgehog dragging a limb? Is it wobbly or walking in circles? Are there already flies around it? These issues won’t get better by themselves: the hedgehog needs help.
- Immediate safety: Is the hedgehog near a hazard? On a road…fallen into a difficult place…or in the wrong place, like the middle of a public park, or a school playground. Obviously, this needs immediate action.
- Is it a young hoglet that’s in trouble?: If it’s only the size of a large apple, it still should be with its mum, so it is likely orphaned and needs rescuing. And in July and August, many hoglets are “leaving home” and fending for themselves. So if it’s out in the day and the size of an avocado, it’s probably a young independent hoglet and will need rescuing before thirst, flies, or other hazards overcome it.
What we recommend you do:
Observe for a short while only: watch what the hedgehog is doing. If it’s moving easily and with purpose, it’s probably OK, even during the day. Maybe a mother putting in an extra shift to nest-build or feeding while her babies are asleep. Maybe a hungry hog before or after hibernation, getting extra food. If they are purposeful, leave them alone. If we act wrongly, we might be separating a mother hog from her babies, which spells disaster for the abandoned hoglets. BUT if it’s not moving, or dragging a leg or going in circles, or only the size of an apple/avocado please consider it as a hedgehog that needs help. If in doubt, rescue it! (we can always return a mum quickly to her babies.)
If you’re concerned and in a public area, note the location: take a photo, note identifiable features, use the app What3Words or a Google map pin to tell us precisely where you saw the hedgehog.
If you’re concerned about a hedgehog in your garden, please put it in a box with high sides (40cm) or cardboard box with holes. Bring indoors to protect it from heat and the dreaded flies, and so that we can see the hedgehog after you have contacted us.
As soon as you can, please contact us via our email: help@ealinghedgehogfriends.com. We can give advice about what you can do, or we will come to the location.
Please be our eyes and ears in the Ealing area, looking out for our hedgehog population, and contact us if you have concerns. Every hedgehog in Ealing is precious.
You are very welcome to join our Facebook group or visit our website for more information, and if you are interested in helping us help local hedgehogs, please contact us at admin@ealinghedgehogfriends.com
Teresa Anderson
Volunteer Lead, Ealing Hedgehog Friends
