Founder of a Rutland-based hedgehog hospice shares advice on how to better protect the species as conservations warn about population decline. 

This week, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has updated the status of West European Hedgehogs to 'near threatened.' This comes following years of population decline of the species, potentially leading to their extinction in the future. 

Rachel, founder of Rutland's Prickleback Urchins Hedgehog Rescue, spoke to Nub News about how crucial autumn is for protecting hedgehogs and helping them to survive harsh winters. 

Rachel opened Prickleback Urchins 3 years ago with partner Jason, helping over 360 hedgehogs in that time. (Photo: Prickleback Urchins)

Annually, there is a lot of focus around Bonfire night asking the public to ensure no prickly visitors have decided to nest in piles of wood and leaves waiting to be burned.  

Rachel wants to highlight that being mindful about hedgehogs this time of year is essential, saying "This time of year, [hedgehogs] are starting to think about where they want to hibernate as the weather starts to turn. 

"When there is a big pile of sticks and leaves, it looks like the perfect home for a hedgehog. It's not just bonfire night. If anyone is clearing their gardens, whether you're burning it or scooping it up and putting it in the bin, it is easy to not notice a hedgehog in there. 

"These hedgehogs are only 300g and would easily fit in the palm of your hand, so it's common people don't see them and they accidentally go in the green waste bin and end up in the crusher at the dump." 

Hedgehog's camouflage, small size and light weight put them at high risk of not being noticed during garden clearing. (Photo: Prickleback Urchins)

This has been proven recently, when Paul Frost and his colleague found a tortoise on the waste picking line at Mid-UK Recycling Centre in Grantham.  

The tortoise had come from a recycling lorry and gone through the entire sorting process before being found at the final stage. The tortoise even survived a glass crushing machine but was covered in blood when it was found. Apart from some damage to his shell, the tortoise had a lucky escape and is healthy and living in a new home. 

Unfortunately, without a hard shell to protect them, hedgehogs are not so lucky. 

Rachel wants to encourage people to check through piles of garden waste before they are moved or disposed of, saying: "piles of wood and leaves look very welcoming to hedgehogs this time of year as they are looking for somewhere cosy to hibernate. Other things like those piles too, like frogs, tortoises and hibernating insects." 

Rachel also wants to emphasise that members of the public must take hedgehogs to the vet if they are found injured or ill. "Vets don't charge members of the public to help sick or injured hedgehogs or to treat wild animals. It's part of their code of ethics. People get worried that taking a hedgehog to the vet will be really expensive but the vets won't charge." 

Vets are the first place to take an injured hedgehog as they can administer pain relief and have a better understanding of treatments, especially in bonfire related incidents when they will be in a lot of pain and suffering with smoke inhalation.  

"All the vets in Oakham work with the Prickleback Urchins Rescue," says Rachel. "All are hedgehog friendly and will know how to help – we've worked really hard to get all the vets on board." 

Prickleback Urchins was founded 3 years ago and in that time has helped over 360 hedgehogs. (Photo: Prickleback Urchins)

For hedgehog conservation, it is essential that the population is kept as strong and healthy as possible with, ideally, a minimum number needing veterinary care and rehabilitation. 

According to Rachel, there are certain things the public can do to keep the local hedgehog population healthy. 

"Put water down for them all year, even when it's cold," says Rachel. "Hedgehogs won't all go into hibernation, especially when it's a mild winter and they need to bulk up enough fat to survive the winter. If you feed your local hedgehog and continue to see hedgehog activity, keep feeding. 

"Another thing is leaving a little space with a pile of leaves in your garden. This makes good nesting material. In over-tidy gardens, hedgehogs lose their nesting materials. Leaves also gives insects space to lay their eggs, which the hedgehogs will eat when they hatch in the spring. This keeps the eco-system healthier and there is better bio-diversity in bug-rich gardens." 

There is lots of information on the Prickleback Urchins Hedgehog Rescue website about how to help an injured or unwell hedgehog, as well as ways to protect hedgehogs in your area. 

There is more information on hedgehog conservation and protection on the Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust website, as well as the Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital.