Experts at leading wildlife charity Vale Wildlife Hospital are urging the public to not interfere with hedgehogs unless they are obviously sick, injured or orphaned, as stress can greatly impact their chances of survival.
As the spring season begins, the traditional winter hibernation for Britain’s prickly friends comes to an official end, with more hedgehogs being spotted in wild areas and gardens around the country.
In recent years, hedgehog populations across the UK have been in sharp decline. According to the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), hedgehog numbers have dropped by over 50% in rural areas and up to 30% in urban environments over the past two decades.
This dramatic fall is primarily attributed to habitat loss, but rising stress due to human interaction could also be a factor.
As hedgehogs begin to appear more frequently in gardens and wild spaces after their hibernation, Vale Wildlife Hospital in Gloucestershire is urging well-meaning members of the public to leave hedgehogs undisturbed whenever possible. If there are any concerns about a hedgehog, advice should be sought from a reputable rescue before intervening.
“While it’s natural to want to help, picking up hedgehogs can cause them considerable stress, which can impact their overall health,” explains Caroline Gould Vale Wildlife Hospital founder. “Hedgehogs may be seen out during the day at certain times of the year, and some may hibernate in unusual patterns. The best thing people can do is ensure they have the right food and water and only intervene if they’re clearly in danger or injured.”
At Vale Wildlife Hospital, hedgehogs are increasingly the most common patients brought in by concerned members of the public, often due to outdated myths. One common misconception is that hedgehogs seen outside during the day at any time of the year need to be rescued.
However, experts at Vale stress that hedgehogs are nocturnal animals, but they are not strictly bound to a nocturnal schedule. They may forage during the day in certain circumstances, particularly when food is scarce or when they are preparing for hibernation and female hedgehogs may be seen out during the day when collecting nesting material during the breeding season.
In response to common myths on hedgehog care, and during Hedgehog Awareness Week, Vale launched their ‘Happy Hedgehogs, Healthy Gardens’ campaign for Vale’s™ Hedgehog Food. They’re encouraging members of the public to keep areas of their garden hedgehog-friendly, all while helping to nurture their outside space with limited mowing and pesticide use, as well as additional crawl spaces. Gardeners can also ensure any neighbourhood hedgehogs have the best chance of survival with supplementary food, to support any shortages in their natural diet.
Feeding hedgehogs the right supplementary food is crucial. Vale’s™ Hedgehog Food is designed to help hedgehogs thrive, providing the essential nutrients that may be in limited supply in their natural diet, especially during the colder months when insect populations are dwindling. A bowl of water alongside this specially designed food can help give hedgehogs everything they need to stay healthy.
Vale Wildlife Hospital is leading the way in educating the public on how to create the best natural environment for supporting hedgehogs and other wildlife. “We all have a role to play in ensuring these brilliant creatures don’t become a distant memory. By leaving hedgehogs undisturbed, providing them with supplementary food and sharing the right knowledge, we can all help keep hedgehog numbers stable and even improve their chances of survival in the wild,” Gould adds.
Learn more about Vale’s™ Hedgehog Food at www.valeshedgehogfood.com, and find out how you can help keep hungry hedgehogs thriving.
