RSPCA called 262 times about hedgehogs in Berkshire and Hampshire
The animal charity is braced for a "hectic hedgehog season" as calls spike in the summer
There were 262 calls to the RSPCA last year about hedgehogs across Berkshire and Hampshire
It comes as the RSPCA has warned this summer looks set to be a "hectic" season for the prickly creatures, after calls peaked at this time last year.
In 2020, there were 110 calls in Berkshire and 152 in Hampshire about sick, injured and orphaned hedgehogs.
There was a total of 6,200 calls to the RSPCA’s national helpline, 1,855 of which were made in July and August alone compared to just 199 calls taken in January and February.
Across 2020, an average of five hedgehogs per day were admitted to one of the charity’s four specialist wildlife centres.
But, in the peak months of July and August, this rose to an average of eight per day - the equivalent of one poorly or orphaned hedgehog every three hours.
The RSPCA’s Scientific Officer Evie Button said:
"July and August are our busiest months for hedgehogs.
"Not only do calls about hedgehogs peak, but so do admissions to our four wildlife centres as members of the public and our own officers bring in orphaned, sick or injured animals for treatment and rehabilitation.
"We receive more calls about hedgehogs than about almost any other wild mammal.
"With a total of 6,200 calls taken last year, averaged out, we get about 17 calls a day relating to these iconic and beautiful animals."
The top reason given by callers for contacting the animal charity about a hedgehog were that they had found a sick or injured animal (4,333).
Other reasons included finding an orphaned newborn or juvenile (436) or an animal that was trapped or entangled (433).
Evie continued:
"Because we get so many calls about injured or trapped animals we have some useful tips to help keep hedgehogs safe in the garden.
"Please remember to remove sports and fruit netting, cover drains and holes, check before using a strimmer or mower, look in compost heaps before forking over and avoid using slug pellets as these are poisonous to hedgehogs.
"We also receive calls from concerned members of the public who have seen a baby hedgehog - a hoglet - on its own.
"Our advice is firstly to check whether they actually need rescuing, by watching from a distance.
"Generally, it's best to leave them alone as they’ll likely be looking for food, but there are a few things you can do to check if the hoglet does need help.
"If they’re larger than apple-sized (about 300g) and they’re not in immediate danger, sick or injured, monitor from a distance.
"If you're concerned, you can try offering food and fresh water.
"The best type of food to give hedgehogs is cat or dog food, whether that’s tinned or crushed biscuits - or you can buy good quality specialist hedgehog foods from wildlife food suppliers.
"During the summer months, only intervene straight away if you find a baby hedgehog in immediate danger (such as on a road), a baby hedgehog that weighs less than 300g (about apple-sized) without an adult hedgehog nearby, or if the baby is sick, injured or surrounded by flies."
People can report concerns about an animal by calling the RSPCA’s Hotline on 0300 1234 999.