Glasgow hedgehog rescued from drainhole by coathanger
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted yesterday after the hedgehog was spotted down the drain in the city centre.
The Scottish SPCA rescued a trapped hedgehog that fell down a drain hole in Glasgow.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted yesterday after the hedgehog was spotted down the drain on Hayburn Lane in the city centre.
Animal rescue officer Robyn Lewis said, “The members of the public who came across the hedgehog kindly waited with him until I got there. They had tried their best to get him out on their own but were unsuccessful.
“The hedgehog was roughly the same diameter as the drain hole and he was stuck around two feet deep in the ground.
“Luckily enough I had rescued a hedgehog that got himself into a similar predicament a few months ago, so I knew the best way to get him out.
“The people who found him lived nearby, so they rushed back to their house to get two metal coat hangers which were bent together to form an ‘L’ shape whilst I made my way to the area.
“I used the coat hanger as a scoop and so I could get my grasper around the hedgehog’s curled body.
“Within a few minutes the hedgehog was successfully out of the small drain and was taken straight to our National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross to be checked over.
“Thankfully he wasn’t injured during his ordeal and we’re pleased to say he made a full recovery and was released back into the wild a few days later.”
Anyone who discovers an injured or distressed wild animal should call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.