Back to the Wild - A Release Success Story

Back to the Wild – A Release Success Story

On Sunday 2nd September, I was lucky enough to be able to accompany a group of hedgehog enthusiasts as they released two lovely, plump male hedgehogs back into the wild in Wivenhoe.  This is the story of their rescue, rehabilitation and release...

Back at the beginning of July, Wivenhoe residents Jill and Rebecca were tending to the Station Community garden with Bea, Jill’s daughter, during a sweltering Summer's day.  Whilst gardening, Rebecca found one tiny hedgehog, and as she and Jill were examining it, Bea found two more baby hoglets.  As we know, the unusually scorching weather this summer has caused great problems for hedgehogs – such as lack of water and food – but also difficulty for nursing hedgehogs in providing for their young.  

The hoglets were extremely small – weighing only 60g each when found – and were clearly struggling in the heat.  Hedgehogs should never be out during the daytime – particularly baby ones – and if they are found out during daylight hours, it is a sure sign something is wrong.  Bea mentioned the find to a family friend, Lindsey, who was escorted to where the hedgehogs had been found.  A registered veterinary Nurse, Lindsey was able to assess the hedgehogs; she found them to be very dehydrated, as well as covered in large numbers of fleas (another indication of a sick hedgehog; a few are normal, but large numbers of fleas are an alarm signal.)  With no sign of their mother anywhere, the decision was taken to step in and help the struggling youngsters.  

This was the start of a rehabilitation process lasting over two months.  

  The baby hoglets shortly after being rescued 

Lindsey’s sister, Megan, helping with one of the regular feedings – every two-three hours, both day and night 

 One of the babies early in the rehabilitation process

Taking on this kind of project is not an easy task, and Lindsey’s training as a veterinary Nurse and knowledge was essential; such intensive care and rehabilitation of wild animals requires considerable time, effort and experience.  In the early stages, given the youth and vulnerable state of the young hoglets, they needed regular sustenance in the form of a specific milk formula, requiring precise measurements and careful sterilisation of all the necessary equipment.  This formula provides nutrition, vitamins and much more at a level which is effective for very young hedgehogs.  This required feeding the hoglets every 2-3 hours – both day and night – and Lindsey found herself with a project which was to prove demanding as well as rewarding!  Her sister Megan helped, as shown in the pictures above of one of the regular feedings of the young hedgehogs. 

Baby hoglets need to consume a massive amount of calories, and their reward is gaining an impressive 20g of weight per day.  Sadly, one hoglet didn't make it, but the two brothers survived the uncertain and dangerous early period, gaining in strength with each passing day.  During this time, they switched from the formula milk to a high nutrition kitten biscuit, soaked in boiling water and allowed to cool, which continued to build their weight and ensure their health at these vital early stages of development.  Hedgehogs need to weigh at least 800g to be viable for hibernation in the Autumn, so they needed to gain that weight as a matter of urgency; a strong and hefty hedgehog is also better able to protect and defend itself against any aggression from other animals.  Although they have few natural predators, hedgehogs can certainly be injured - or worse - by dogs, so size and strength is an important element of self-defence – particularly being able to curl up tightly enough to stay safe from curious paws.

After many weeks of careful nurturing, feeding, cleaning and monitoring, Lindsey had achieved great success with two healthy, strong, well-fed hedgehogs, weighing 800g and nearly 1kg, respectively - perfect for release.  The timing was also perfect; with several weeks before hibernation time, the hedgehogs would have time to get used to their new wild lives, and prepare for hibernation themselves.  

I met with Lindsey early on Sunday evening.   She was accompanied by a crew of about a dozen companions, ranging from adults (including Lindsey's father bearing one hedgehog!) to a group of young children, including Bea accompanied by her Dad, Paul.  This keen enthusiasm is further evidence of the wide appeal of hedgehogs, and the great support for these animals in Wivenhoe.  The initial focus was the important question of where to release the hogs.  Earlier discussions and some early WIVHOGS evidence suggested the area between the river and woodland as a good potential habitat.  We had reports of hedgehogs in the area, and it was not too far from where the hoglets had originally been found.  As dusk started to fall, the group, led by Lindsey, picked two separate areas for the release.  With two males - both now healthy and demonstrating strong natural hedgehog behaviours - the need for some space and distance was important.  In both cases, the criteria were: shelter; suitable habitat for food; quiet; and space to make their initial explorations.  

 One hedgehog awaiting release into his new, wild habitat

The first hog was released in the shelter of a very young oak tree, away from the path.  Lindsey lifted him out - a sizable and camera shy 800g young hog - and, using the hay from the cage, created a basic nest to let him settle and get his bearings before nightfall.  

Lindsey releases the first hedgehog

The second release was a little further down the path - again, off the path itself, and deeper into the woodland.  Here, a low bush of brambles was chosen, and the process was repeated - building a basic shelter for the hog with hay, and releasing him to settle in to his new habitat.  

 Wivenhoe woodland

The second hedgehog is carefully lifted from his carry case

The second hedgehog, being checked for the last time before release

As the picture shows, the key defence strategy of the hedgehog is curling up into a ball. In a healthy hedgehog, this is surprisingly strong; muscles in the back pull the spines into position to protect the hedgehog’s soft, vulnerable parts – its underside, legs, feet and face – in such a way that all the spines face outwards.  It is a powerful protective strategy against most other creatures, and our hedgehog was clearly able to roll up and maintain his defence effectively.  We were lucky enough that our second hedgehog’s nose and part of its face were visible just before Lindsey tucked it into its new home.  

A strong, healthy hedgehog!

Once both hedgehogs were released, the group bid them good luck before leaving them to the gathering dusk, and their first night of freedom.  Hedgehogs travel between 2-3 miles a night, so our hogs would be getting ready to explore a whole new world, and experience all the things wild hedgehogs do naturally – a fantastic achievement for Lindsey and her team!

Many thanks to all who helped me with the information, photos and details for this report on the first recorded re-release alongside WIVHOGS.  Huge thanks in particular to Lindsey, Bea and her Mum and Dad, Rebecca, Megan and all those who helped at the release itself.

If you find a hedgehog in distress, a juvenile which is underweight during Autumn, or any hedgehog out during daylight hours, please use the contact information for local rescue organisations provided on the blog.