'Leccy' the hedgehog rescued from substation

A hedgehog that took refuge from the heatwave in an electricity substation has been named "Leccy" after her rescue.

The animal - which was said to be dehydrated and malnourished - was found by UK Power Networks employee Jon Gray when he carried out maintenance at the substation in Colchester, Essex, earlier this month.

After being checked over by an out-of-hours veterinary practice, Leccy was looked after by Gray for two more days as she regained her strength before her release into the wild.

"It was pure luck she was discovered when she was - she was a very hungry hog," he said.

The hedgehog was said to be "shaking" and in "poor condition" when Gray discovered her.

"I carefully removed her and took her to a specialist hedgehog-friendly vet, where she was taken into critical care," Gray said.

"The team there named her 'Leccy' and she made an amazing recovery… she gained weight, rehydrated and looked much healthier."

Leccy was checked over by Hedgehog Friendly Vets, a 14-strong veterinary professional-run hedgehog rescue which assists practices in North Essex and Suffolk to treat sick and injured hedgehogs.

Registered veterinary nurse Lesley said Leccy was collected "within an hour to prevent her being in a stressful environment", adding that she was found to be "severely dehydrated, hypothermic and underweight".

"She received prompt treatment and in three days put on 67g and was back to good health."

Leccy was returned to Gray, where she recovered with "ample food and water in her own special pen".

On advice from the hedgehog hospital, Gray left the pen door open for Leccy to wander off back into the wild last Thursday.

"We advocate for every sick or injured hedgehog found, to be taken straight to a vet," said Lesley.

"This is because vets are equipped to quickly diagnose, treat and prescribe medications that hedgehog casualties usually urgently need to improve their welfare and prevent suffering."

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