A hedgehog and her litter are doing well under the care of a Rutland-based hedgehog rescue centre.

Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue have welcomed 6 special residents, and mummy and babies are thriving!

Rachel and Jay have been running Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue from their home since July 2021, and have cared for nearly 200 hedgehogs in that time. 

The project started when the couple discovered that there were no hedgehog rescues in the county of Rutland committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of this unique animal which is now classed as 'vulnerable to extinction' (2019). They wanted to change this.

Now they work with local residents, volunteers and veterinary surgeries to help support Rutland's hedgehog community. 

Only two weeks ago, they welcomed six very special, very prickly residents.

Five young hedgehogs and mum are growing well under the care of Rachel and Jay at Rutland's Prickleback rescue centre. Image credit: Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue.

Brought in by a resident on 6 June, the hedgehogs had been disturbed by a tractor, but the finders acted quickly and averted disaster.

Rachel explained: "We received a call about a nest that had been accidentally disturbed when a muck heap was being moved on a yard. Although it's obviously regrettable, it was fortunate that the finders noticed a large hedgehog had been disturbed and stopped to check immediately.

"They discovered that they had in fact disturbed a nest. Luckily the finders acted quickly and picked up the mother who had been dislodged and handled the hoglets with gloves to prevent their smell transferring to them.

"We always advise that a disturbed nest should be recovered and left well alone but in this case the nest had been pulled apart by the movements of the tractor and was no more!

"They collected nesting material from the area (essential) and put the hoglets and mother into separate containers. This is so important.

"Luckily we know the finders and this meant little delay in them contacting us for advice and being able to admit them into our care.

"Thank goodness this happened at the end of the day as we'd just arrived home from work."

A mother hedgehog and her babies are doing well in a Rutland rescue centre. Image credit: Prickleback Urchin Hedgehog Rescue.

Now the mother and her five babies, one boy and four girls, are doing well, with mummy-hog weighing in at 1285g - a good, healthy weight.

This influx of young hedgehogs during such a hot spell was not all plain sailing for the team though, who's struggled to keep the temperature low enough for these ground-dwelling animals.

As such, they released a reluctant fundraising appeal to raise £1,000 to fit air conditioning, the duo planning to pay the further £500 needed for the new addition themselves.

As it turned out, the Rutland residents once again came through, and donated the full amount of £1,500 in less than 24 hours.

Read more about this local story of generosity and community here.

This success came as a relief, as they welcomed even more young hedgehogs this week.

On Thursday 22 June, they took in a baby hedgehog who had been separated from her mother and would not survive in the wild. Regardless, she is doing well and keeping the team busy.

They uploaded a video to their page of her progress:

Thank you to Rachel and Jay for their continued hard work in supporting Rutland's local hedgehog population.