The British Wild Hedgehog is now included in the official Red List for British Mammals, a database of the world's threatened species. This was created by the International Union for the Conservation of Natures (IUCN) and highlights those that are at risk of extinction in the next twenty years.
Since 2020 the population of British Wild Hedgehogs has decreased by around 30% in urban areas, rising to 50% in rural areas. It is estimated that 100k -350k hedgehogs are killed each year on the roads. Their habitats have been diminishing and their inability to access and travel through gardens and across roads has become in most cases, impossible. Roads create invisible barriers and also physical barriers for hedgehogs. The use of poisons like slug pellets, and intensive agricultural farming also have a part to play in their decreased populations through the loss of hedges and pesticides.
We currently have a peak of around 80 hedgehogs at any one time and an average of between 30-50 in rehabilitation. Hedgehogs in rehabilitation are with us anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months but normally at least 1-2 months. One hedgehog can easily eat close to an entire can of dog food, but it's normally just over half a can or a large bowl of hedgehog food. It's not unusual to go though at least 30-40 cans of food a day. This does not include the more expensive foods such as the critical care mousse and hoglet powdered food.
Donations are greatly appreciated and help us a huge amount. There are a lot of ongoing costs involved in rescuing the hedgehogs but it costs about £20 a month just to feed and shelter a hedgehog in rehabilitation.
Some of the larger costs for the Charity are insurance and electricity along with the on-going running costs of the rescue vehicle used to pickup and drop off hedgehogs on rescue and once released back in to the wild. The cost of fuel is more than £50 a week. These costs alone amount to several thousand pounds a year. There are also hedgehog consumable costs (such as medical treatments, gloves, various disinfectants, wound sprays, flea, mite, and tick sprays, milton tablets, etc..) and general maintenance and repairs to hedgehog buildings, hutches, and pens. On top of this are expensive items such as incubators.
Hornbeam Wood Hedgehog Sanctuary - https://www.hornbeamwood.org.uk
Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/HornbeamWood
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hedgehogsanctuary
Twitter - https://twitter.com/HornbeamWood
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