Animal sanctuaries in Britain and Europe are reporting a jump in the number of baby hedgehogs being handed in, many of them undernourished because of the summer heatwave.
The animals, under threat from a loss of habitat, are being abandoned by their mothers who have not been able to produce enough milk, sanctuary staff say.
“The problems began with the mums. They couldn’t get water for milk; the hoglets would suck them dry,” Gill Lucraft, manager of the Hedgehog Bottom wildlife sanctuary in Thatcham, Berkshire, said.
At this time of year Ms Lucraft would normally expect to be caring for ten to 20 juveniles, but is looking after 50 undernourished and dehydrated hoglets. A month ago she had 90 — a record number for a