Heatwave sees surge of abandoned hoglets

A wildlife sanctuary has issued advice on how to care for hedgehogs during the heatwave after a surge of abandoned babies.

In a Facebook post, The Dorset Hedgehog Rescue in Dorchester said hoglets were "still coming in thick and fast" as the hot weather and lack of resources could trigger the mums' self-preservation mode "and they abandon the babies".

On Wednesday, the centre said one of the volunteers was hand feeding 21 hoglets, while another had 15 at her house.

Trustee Elaine Willcox said leaving water out for hedgehogs consistently was "key" to encourage them stay closer to their nests.

The rescue centre has capacity for just over 130 hedgehogs.

Willcox said if hoglets had been born there, the mothers were not disturbed until the little ones reached a couple of weeks old.

"We've got around 20 hand feeders at the moment, which is very tiring work," she said.

On its website, the rescue writes that hedgehogs breed in spring and summer, mostly during May and June, producing litter of about four or five babies.

It adds the hoglets will start leaving the nest to forage with their mother at about four weeks old and will be independent by about eight weeks old.

But Willcox said the heat was "a huge factor" for the mass abandonments.

"This is for all wildlife, but hedgehogs in particular - if mums can't find water or food source, they do very much have a survival of the fittest mentality, so we are seeing quite a large number of juveniles and babies coming in to us at the moment."

The rescue appeals to people to leave "a shallow bowl of water" out.

"From a hedgehog perspective, water is key and then if you can put out dry cat food that is also a huge help," Willcox added.

"It will encourage mums to stay nearby their nests, and consistency is really key.

"As long as they know that, 'Okay, even on a really hot day, I'm going to have water available to me', it will help them to stay closer to their nests."

On 1 August the rescue will hold its first summer fete, open for the public to visit and "meet the hedgehogs up close and personal".