Two new residents

It was a privilege to receive two ‘rescued’ wild hedgehogs in early September, 2024, from a local man who dedicates time to helping our hedgehogs return to the wild. British hedgehog populations have been decimated due to various reasons, principally human activities that have changed the countryside to benefit people (which hasn’t always worked) but left many species of wildlife bereft of the necessities of life.

We are lucky to have a purpose-built 4m x 4m wildlife enclosure, named Hog Haven, designed specifically for hedgehogs. It has walls of wood and chicken wire, a rainproof roof, and an earth floor covered with deep hay and leaf litter. Cosy wooden boxes to hide in or slumber are provided, as are logs and tree stumps to climb over, dishes of fresh food and water, and an exit/entry tunnel which is blocked off until it is time to let the ‘hogs run free.

The two hedgehogs arrived each in its own cardboard box, which had a little door cut into one corner, taped over for the journey. The boxes were placed in the enclosure and the little door untaped, allowing the hedgehog to exit once it felt safe to do so. At no time were the hedgehogs touched – they are wild animals and not pets! Then I left them alone.

The trail camera, which will pick up animal heat day and night and start filming, was in position and revealed two healthy inquisitive hedgehogs checking out their new home and eating and drinking normally. After three nights in the enclosure, I unblocked their exit/entry tunnel so they would be free to leave the enclosure at their own volition. They wasted no time and left the very same night. I haven’t seen them since.

Dishes of food and water were placed near Hog Haven and some food was taken for the first couple of nights. But then it was obvious they were not coming back anymore, meaning they had moved off into the wider garden and beyond. I wish them luck.

Hedgehogs face a perilous life, their main enemies being motor vehicles, garden and farm machinery and badgers. It is important to remember that the mortality rate is very high amongst wild animals in nature. The problem comes when pressures from human activity pushes the pressure level even higher and populations cannot sustain themselves. Maybe these two little ones will be lucky.