Suffering in the heat

The hot weather has led to a large number of sick and injured hedgehogs being taken to an animal rescue centre.

Mr and Mrs Tim Kennedy, who run Orston Hedgehog Rescue at their home in Loughbon, said 16 hedgehogs had been taken to the shelter, including three litters of hoglets.

Mrs Kirsten Kennedy, 43, said a worrying trend was the number of them that were severely dehydrated and underweight.

“The lengthy dry spell we have had makes it extremely hard for hedgehogs to keep hydrated and to find food,” she said.

“We are also seeing many hedgehogs with nasty injuries, caused probably by strimmers, so we are urging everyone to take care when strimming and to check overgrown areas of their gardens first.”

Mrs Kennedy said if anyone saw a hedgehog in the daytime, they should take immediate action as hedgehogs were nocturnal and in hot weather they were in danger of flies laying eggs on them.

She suggested putting out a shallow dish of water and possibly a dish of chicken-based cat food to help wildlife.

The rescue centre has been treating sick and injured hedgehogs for ten years but was nearly forced to close earlier this year due to a lack of funding.

For more information, or to make a donation, telephone 01949 851532 or e-mail kirstenkennedy2001@yahoo.co.uk