Last updated 19:28, Thursday, 30 October 2008
A WILDLIFE rescue operation has been launched to solve a prickly problem for hedgehogs.
Bank Mill Nurseries at Beckfoot has created the Prickly Pals hedgehog rescue service after members of the public started bringing in hedgehogs suffering from cold and starvation.
Melanie James, who manages the nurseries’ butterfly and reptile houses and nature reserve, said: “We’ve had about nine brought in so far.
“We recently had one brought in by schoolchildren. They had been out on a cross-country run and found it.
“The hedgehogs have been so malnourished and cold that they have been dying.
“We try to make everything as natural as possible for them in our reptile and butterfly house and keep them warm.”
Melanie said that although hedgehogs normally hibernate in the winter, colder weather in the summer means they have struggled to keep up their body weight.
The operation is also about raising public awareness.
Melanie added: “There are still some people who mistreat them.”
n Anyone concerned about a hedgehog can call Prickly Pals on 0785 6169801.
