From Big Stripes to Little Spikes: Keepers Caring for Rescued Hedgehogs

Carnivore keepers are excited to announce that they are now caring for a beloved native species at Woburn Safari Park.  This July, as part of a new partnership with Deanshanger Hedgehog Rescue, the team has officially opened a newly refurbished residence for orphaned hedgehogs.

Deanshanger Hedgehog Rescue (DHR) is a small local rescue centre based in Milton Keynes that rehabilitates and microchips injured or sick hedgehogs before releasing them back into the wild.

Katie Chapman, Woburn Safari's Head of Conservation, has been working closely with the DHR team, preparing a suitable care facility for the hedgehogs to recuperate and gain weight in a safe, comfortable environment.

Registered charity, Deanshanger Hedgehog Rescue will be supporting keepers with training and guidance to foster babies and young hoglets that need to gain weight before being strong enough to survive in the wild.

Katie praised the partnership, explaining ‘We are over the moon to join Deanshanger Hedgehog Rescue in their efforts to help this much-loved native species. It is an absolute pleasure to care for the pre-release individuals, meaning Deanshanger can continue to intake hedgehogs needing urgent care and treatment. Without which, many of these rescued individuals would not have survived.’

After treating over 200 hedgehogs in the last year, DHR struggled with the capacity available for new critical cases.  Keepers at Woburn Safari Park will care for the hedgehogs which no longer require vet care, but still need to put on weight or grow larger. These healthy 'bed blockers' will be monitored and weighed each day, until they are deemed able to thrive independently.

Hedgehogs are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981. They are also listed as a Priority Species under the UK Biodiversity Framework and are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Many of the hedgehogs rescued by Deanshanger are threatened by habitat loss, poisoning from garden chemicals, road accidents, predators and even lawnmowers. In fact, over a third of hedgehogs across the UK have been lost since 2000.

This amazing new partnership between Woburn Safari Park and Deanshanger Hedgehog Rescue will contribute to the conservation and protection of one of Britain's most iconic native mammals. The aim is for the hedgehogs in Woburn Safari Park's care will be able to be released back into the wild later this year. For now, keepers will certainly be busy looking after these adorable little hoglets!