Published: July 26, 2012
Wildlife carers near Burnham-On-Sea handle influx of hedgehogs

Baby hedgehogs suffering from hypothermia or orphaned have been flooding in to Secret World Wildlife Rescue Centre near Burnham-On-Sea during recent weeks.

Their plight and how to help them will be highlighted at the charity’s Hedgehog and Tortoise Open Weekend in East Huntspill which takes place this weekend, July 28th and 29th.

Charity founder Pauline Kidner told Burnham-On-Sea.com that in previous summers baby hedgehogs had been brought in suffering from dehydration because of a lack of water but this year hypothermia caused by all the rain has been a big problem - although this week's hot weather is helping them.

"To add to the hedgehogs’ woes we have also received a number of babies
who have been orphaned by dogs rooting out their nests and scaring away their
mums," she said.

"Fifty years ago there were 30 million hedgehogs in Britain but now there are only an estimated 1.1 million so if we carry on at this rate they could be almost extinct in ten years," added Pauline.

Families and all those attending the open weekend will be able to learn how best to encourage hedgehogs into their gardens and what to do to help protect them.

They will also be able to see Secret World’s family of tortoises and meet Eric, an eight stone pet Chelonian tortoise, who is making a guest appearance away from his home in the Chew Valley.

Opening hours on both Saturday and Sunday are from 10am to 4pm. Admittance is free but donations will be welcome as will tins of cat food to help feed Secret World’s orphaned hedgehogs.