Gardeners are being urged to watch out for hedgehogs before getting out their power tools.
The Scottish SPCA has been swamped with orphaned baby hedgehogs recently and fears this may be due to their mothers falling foul of gardening equipment.
Only last week an adult hedgehog had to be put to sleep after being brought into the charity with serious lacerations caused by a garden strimmer.
Now the animal charity is urging people to take extra care when tidying up their gardens following the influx of baby hogs that have become separated from their mums.
The Scottish SPCA is caring for over 40 hedgehogs, many of them youngsters, at its wildlife rescue centre in Fife.
Centre manager Colin Seddon said, “Many of our hogs are youngsters who have been found out during the day and struggling to survive on their own. Normally hedgehogs would be doing very well at this time of year so it’s unusual to get so many poorly ones coming in.”
He said the charity knows many people will be tidying up their gardens as summer draws to a close and the wetter weather moves in and this might explain the increase in hedgehog injuries and deaths.
“The adult hedgehog that came into us last week had been tragically and severely wounded across its back after being accidentally hit with the blade of a strimmer. Sadly the only humane option was to put it to sleep.
“In a way it’s lucky that this hedgehog was discovered and we were able to relieve its suffering relatively quickly,” he added. “Many hedgehogs that sustain injuries will hide in undergrowth and hedgerows and suffer very slow and painful deaths, resulting in their dependent young being orphaned.”
Colin said this type of accident was preventable if people took a few moments to check their gardens before using lawnmowers, strimmers or hedge trimmers. “It could save an animal’s life,” he said.
Anyone who discovers a sick or injured hedgehog, particularly during the daytime, should call the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.
Photo used under a Creative Commons licence courtesy of Flickr user Denis Defreyne.