By Lauren Beavis via SWNS
A hedgehog is ‘lucky to be alive’ – after getting caught in a zip tie.
In the late hours of Sunday 23 June, two hedgehogs arrived at the GSPCA.
A healthy juvenile was found next to another who was unable to move – due to a zip tie trapping it.
They were brought into the GSPCA in Guernsey by some caring members of the public where Manager Steve Byrne was on duty.
After the rescue, a call was made for residents to help hedgehogs this summer as temperatures soar.
Steve said “Late on Sunday I had a call out as two hedgehogs arrived at the GSPCA.
“Both for their size were in fairly good condition but the larger of the two could barely move due to a cable tie which was extremely tight and making it impossible for ‘Riley’ as the hog as been called to even roll up let alone move.
“We quickly removed the cable tie which was painfully tight and if she hadn’t have been rescued she would have slowly perished.
“Riley’s mate’ as the other has been called we actually think is Riley’s hoglet from a litter a few months ago.”
Steve says after a few days of monitoring and TLC – the pair are now doing ‘extremely well’ and will be released back to the wild soon.
The GSPCA are calling for people to watch out for wildlife, and collect their waste.
Steve explained: “We regularly see animals injured by human waste and it is so important to keep the islands safe for so many reasons, especially for our wildlife as Riley was so lucky to be found when she was.
“At the GSPCA we really want every islander to help ensure we keep our islands safe and free from waste and with this warm weather help the wildlife by putting out fresh drinking water and feed appropriate for those that visit your gardens and outside work spaces.”
With the hot weather, Steve explains how hedgehogs often struggle to find enough water and food resources
Steve said: “Currently we have 55 hedgehogs in our care and already had 184 rescued this year.
“We see numbers of hedgehogs rise over the Summer as the hoglets are born and those struggling with the warm weather.
“If you see a hedgehog out during the day please do give us a call on 257261 as occasionally it could be a Mom looking for food but if they are sick or injured they will need to come in for some TLC.”
There are many things we can all do to help hedgehogs, Steve explains, and here are a few:
Make sure hedgehogs can access your garden with a ‘Hedgehog Highway’ a 5” x 5” (13 x 13cm) square gap in the bottom of fences or walls should do it.
Once created you can log these on the British Hedgehog Preservation Society BIG Hedgehog Map at: www.bighedgehogmap.org
Create a log pile that will offer shelter and natural food.
Move piles of rubbish to a new site on the day you are burning it and check it carefully before setting light to it, lighting from only one side so that there’s an escape route should you have missed anything.
Check areas carefully before mowing or strimming.
Ensure netting is kept at a height that allows hedgehogs to pass safely under it.
Check compost heaps carefully before digging the fork in.
Stop using pesticides and poisons.
Cover drains or deep holes.
Ensure there is an easy route out of ponds & pools.
Steve added: “Hedgehogs are great in so many ways from helping eat the pesky slugs and snails in your garden to the smiles they bring to those that like to watch them and we hope that the Bailiwick of Guernsey will come together to support hedgehogs, especially for this coming week and carry on into the future.”
Since 2011, the GSPCA has seen and helped 6,341 hedgehogs.
