Wolds rescue centre reports influx of dehydrated hedgehogs

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Wolds Hedgehog Rescue says the animals are also being infected by fluke

A hedgehog rescue centre says it is caring for dozens of animals found severely dehydrated in the high temperatures.

Wolds Hedgehog Rescue, based in Driffield, East Yorkshire, said the problem was being made worse by the presence of parasitic fluke eggs in the puddles hedgehogs do find to drink from.

"It's a killer, no doubt about it, and it drives them absolutely demented," said Ann Day, who runs the service.

Mrs Day said there were 54 hedgehogs being cared for at the centre and they were "just coming in thick and fast, mainly because of the heat".

Harry, one of the hedgehogs being cared for by Ann Day, appears to have been born with only three legs

Fluke is passed on if the droppings of an infected animal contaminate water and, although it is simple to treat if it is caught in time, the hospital is almost at capacity.

One of the hedgehogs being treated, which the centre has named Harry, was born with only three legs and now has fluke.

The infection causes him to be wide awake in the daytime, which is unusual as hedgehogs are nocturnal animals.

Mrs Day said he most likely picked up the microscopic worm by drinking water infected by the droppings of another animal.

If left untreated, it would eventually kill him, she said, but added she hoped Harry could be released back into the wild after a few weeks of care.

The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust said there was evidence other wildlife was also being impacted by the warm temperatures this summer.

"There are already fewer dragonflies and damselflies, a significant food source for many birds and other aquatic wildlife, and pools and ponds have dried up entirely, removing a vital source of water for birds and mammals alike to drink, bathe and cool down," a spokesperson said.

Fay Vass, chief executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, said: "It's such a simple action, but placing shallow dishes of clean water around your garden can be a lifeline to thirsty garden wildlife – keep them topped up and add a few pebbles so insects can perch and safely drink too."

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