Hedgehog Rescue

After advice from a local woman who rescues, treats, cares for and has a safe release plan for hedgehogs I set my “trap” in the hope that the hedgehog that visited yesterday to drink its fill would return.

My “trap” was more water in a low terracotta saucer next to Jazz’s water bowl but also a dish with tinned cat food in it. I found a deep, plastic bucket and positioned it with my thick gardening gloves near the door. I sat near the sliding door and waited. It was a frosty morning and it was still chilly. But at lunch time who should I spy but my wee visitor drinking away at the terracotta saucer.

I snuck out the door and donned the gloves, picked up the bucket and quietly approached the wee critter. I popped it into the bucket and put some food in with it.

It wolfed that down and came back for large seconds and thirds. Once I had secured the bucket so it would not fall over if wriggling and squirming happened I went indoors and rang the Rescue woman, Jacqui (see her comments on yesterday’s blog post here).

Jacqui was thrilled to learn that the “hog” had come back and was safely captured. She kindly drove over to check it out and declared it to have mange. She took it home and has begun to treat the mange by applying large amounts of cooking oil to soften the crusted skin that is caused by the mites and to drown the mites. Tomorrow she will use a flea treatment on the “hog”.

She will monitor progress and keep the little one until spring. If it is well enough and strong enough then it will be released on a very safe property in Te Hero (a rural area north of my home.) This is a much safer and suitable home compared with our garden which is alongside a very busy street.
Once the sex of this hedgehog is known I get to name it. I’ll let you know!

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