Wildlife rescue a busy day

A large adult hedgehog was brought in yesterday.  He’d been found wandering about and dragging a hind leg.  It was obvious that he was badly injured, hedgehogs are normally asleep during the day so if they are out and about there is something wrong.   He is a fine hedgehog, fat and in good condition but didn’t make a protest when we checked him over, usually they curl into a tight ball.

One of his hind legs is badly swollen but doesn’t appear to be broken.   He has broken spines on his back too so it looks as though something has caught him.   Dogs, foxes, badgers – all are predators of hedgehogs.   How do they manage to get them with all those spines?   They ‘worry’ them until they have their soft underbelly exposed and then it’s all over.   This little chap escaped but may have more serious injuries than is apparent.

After the hedgehog we had two tiny house martins brought in, their nest is down and the rest of the family have disappeared.   We’ll feed them and hope for the best.

Next was an injured wood pigeon, she’s been attacked by a cat and has missing feathers on her back.  She’s in shock at the moment.  We’ve given her some Rescue Remedy and hopefully she’ll pull round.