Hedgehog

Have you found a hedgehog or seen one wandering around during the day?

Check the following; the hedgehog needs to be taken to the sanctuary in all the situations mentioned below:

if it is injured (a hedgehog that stinks is definitely injured)
if there are fly eggs or maggots on the hedgehog
if it is entangled in something
when it is not curled up with its eyes closed
if it doesn't roll up when you turn it on its side
if it coughs or has mucus in its eyes
if it wobbles back and forth
if it runs in circles
if it is in danger of drowning in a pond or swimming pool; pull the animal out of the water as quickly as possible
if all the spines lie flat, even when you touch it firmly
if its winter home has been disturbed and the hedgehog can't stay there
all baby hedgehogs (white spines) with their eyes closed and outside the nest
if the animal is very emaciated (narrow waist; a healthy hedgehog looks almost round from above)

A hedgehog walking around during the day is not necessarily sick, but this behaviour does indicate that something is wrong. Hedgehogs are always admitted to the sanctuary to investigate why they have shown themselves during the day. Usually there is more to this than meets the eye. Should this not be the case, then the hedgehog will be returned to its place of origin or another suitable place after 1 or 2 days of observation.

How do you transport a hedgehog to the sanctuary?

Put the hedgehog in a box with air holes. Close the box well, so the animal can't crawl out on the way.
Baby hedgehogs, which do not yet have hair and/or have their eyes closed, should always be kept warm by placing a hot water bottle in the box (not too hot).
If a hot water bottle is not available, a (plastic) lemonade bottle filled with warm water and wrapped in a tea towel or thick sock can be placed next to the hedgehog.
Make sure the hot water bottle/lemonade bottle cannot roll onto the hedgehog.
You should also use a heat source when transporting larger/adult hedgehogs. In the summer, keep an eye on the temperature in the car and stop on the way to look at the hedgehog: if the animal is lying flat on its belly with its legs wide, it is too hot. If it is in a half-rolled-up position, the temperature is correct. As hedgehogs are wild animals, they are prone to stress, so you should try to minimise the disturbance experienced by the hedgehog during the journey: make sure the hedgehog sees or hears as little as possible. You should preferably turn off the car radio.
What if you do not have your own transport? Call the animal ambulance: +31 (0)651697115.

Never take a hedgehog in yourself
Hedgehogs are wonderful animals. However, you should never take them in yourself: the animal may have a worm infection, carry vermin or suffer from other hidden illnesses. Hedgehogs require specific medical care, which is only available in specialist hedgehog sanctuaries. Hedgehogs are protected animals so you are not permitted to take care of them yourself. You give a hedgehog the best chance of survival by taking it to the nearest sanctuary as soon as possible.

Bird sanctuary address
Vogelasiel De Paddestoel
Jan Verfailleweg 620A
1783 BW Den Helder
Telephone: +31 (0)223 - 62 05 86 or +31 (0)657072575 (after closing time)

< back to overview