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Although we have already had baby hedgehogs or hoglets being born at the GSPCA over the last month, last Friday evening the GSPCA were called out to rescue 2 orphan hedgehogs who had sadly lost their mum, they were extremely cold and very hungry.
Only days old they were adopted by one of our staff and taken home with an incubator and specialist milk to be hand reared.
Sadly one of the hoglets didn't make it through the first night but one did.
She was named Norma and a week later after receiving milk every 3/4 hours we are pleased to say she is doing well.
The GSPCA and RSPB Guernsey are delighted to report that The States of Guernsey have banned the sale of Metaldehyde.
Under the Poisonous Substances (Guernsey) Law, 1994, and Regulation 11(8) of the Control of Poisonous Substances (Guernsey) Regulations, 2014, as amended, the approval of the products containing the active ingredients Metaldehyde is hereby revoked. It will be prohibited from sale as of 30th June 2019 and prohibited from use the following year on the 30thJune 2020.
At the GSPCA we currently have 113 hedgehogs in our care and they keep on coming.
Many will think that hedgehogs will be tucked up for the Winter by now but this is far from the truth.
Every day the GSPCA are rescuing and helping hedgehogs in need and many only a month or two old.
Publicity for hedgehogs often includes that they hibernate during the Winter months but unless the temperature is below 5C they struggle to huddle down for what should be a long slumber.
With the exceptionally warm weather it has been exceptionally busy at the GSPCA.
One of the biggest casualties being effected have been hedgehogs and the GSPCA is appealing for islanders to do all they can to help our prickly friends.
From dehydrated baby hedgehogs to those covered in fly eggs and maggots we have helped 32 hedgehogs since the start of this month.
Two baby hoglets that were found dehydrated close to death were Minnie and Britany who has her picture above.
You normally see Hoglets in May, June or July, when the first litters are generally born, and in August-September, when the second litters are often born, although we do see them throughout the year when the weather is mild.
The last few weeks have been extremely busy not only with abandoned baby hedgehogs or hoglets as they are called being found but also some of the injured hedgehogs giving birth at the GSPCA.
Since the start of 2017 the GSPCA have helped over 320 hedgehogs making it one of the busiest years on record with 4 months still to go.
Last night the latest baby hedgehog which was named Pins was found gasping and very thin and has spent the night in an intensive care unit with special food and care.
During the Summer at one point we had over 130 hedgehogs meaning the most hedgehogs we have ever had at one time in our care.
In the middle of Winter on the 4th January a very thin unwell hedgehog was rescued in the grounds at Government House.
The poorly hedgehog which was half his ideal body weight would have likely perished if he hadn’t have been rescued and brought into the GSPCA to care for over the last few months.
The hedgehog which has been called ‘Governor’ has made huge improvements and as he has now reached a healthy release weight.
Charlotte Le Marquand is from Guernsey and currently a zoology student at Swansea University undertaking her final year project under the supervision of Dr Dan Forman.
The main focus of my project is to understand the distribution and abundance of hedgehogs in Guernsey. Charlotte has previously undertaken some volunteer work with the GSPCA during 2009 and has also visited the Shelter with a veterinary surgeon from Les Eturs Veterinary Centre while on work experience in 2013 and also this summer as we are helping support her with her project.
On Tuesday a very poorly baby hedgehog or hoglet was brought into the GSPCA.
At only 3 to 4 weeks of age 'Diddy' as she's been named was covered in mange, very thin and also full of fly eggs and tiny maggots.
On arrival GSPCA staff Sarah Ozanne and Geoff George were on hand to help care for and clean off the fly eggs and maggots.
For the first few days the tiny hoglet was very weak and was taken home by Sarah to care for around the clock.
Nearly a week on and we are pleased to say that Diddy is doing well and growing stronger each day.
Every year hundreds of hedgehogs are rescued and cared for at the GSPCA in Guernsey.
Last September as the summer ended and autumn was setting in a 26g baby hoglet was found, rescued and brought into the GSPCA.
Wee Billy when he was rescued was tiny and really needed his mum as he relied on being milk fed and toileted.
Thanks to the team at the Animal Shelter Wee Billy received around the clock care in an intensive care unit and its wasn't long before we saw the weight gain and growth.