What to do in an emergency

If you see a hedgehog out in the daylight, or an injured hedgehog at any time, it is in trouble. A hedgehog ‘sun-bathing’ or ‘staggering’ is probably very cold, and hyperthermia is setting in. You need to act at once to help the animal.

• Pick up the hedgehog using gloves or an old towel
• Put him in a high sided box filled with torn up newspaper, or cover with an old towel
• If the hedgehog feels cold to the touch, put in a bottle filled with hot water and wrap it up in a towel (A plastic pop bottle is ideal)
• Cover or close the box to protect the hedgehog from flies and maggots
• If there is an obvious wound or injury, take the hedgehog to a vet, straight away if possible. Tell the vet you want the hedgehog back if it is alright
• For advice on what to do next, contact us or the British Hedgehog Preservation Society

This website was built by Jon Bartlam on behalf of the West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue