Hedgehog holiday park opens in UK

Posted on 30 October 2020

Hedgehogs are undoubtedly adorable animals. A resort in the United Kingdom (UK) loves these spiky mammals so much that they have created a hedgehog holiday park.

The reason behind the somewhat humorous concept is in fact rather harrowing. Hedgehogs are officially on the endangered species list in the UK.

Hedgehog numbers have rapidly declined and in July 2020 they were listed as vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List.

In Britain, one quarter of native mammals are at risk of extinction.

‘Among those species listed as being at risk of extinction in Britain are the water vole, hedgehog, hazel dormouse, wildcat and the Grey long-eared bat. The European wolf is already extinct,’ said the Mammal Society in a statement.

With the hedgehog heading into hibernation soon, Parkdean Resorts’ White Cross Bay park has constructed a miniature ‘holiday park’ for animals.

It is designed to be a safe haven, where the animals will be undisturbed.

The resort is encouraging the public to safety-proof their gardens for hedgehogs. This can be done by placing a ramp in a pond in case they fall in, not using slug pellets, or any toxic pesticide, and scouting long grass before mowing over it.

South Africa’s hedgehogs

Friends of Free Wildlife have appealed to Gauteng residents to be cautious this time of year, as hedgehogs emerge from hibernation.

Motorists are urged to keep a look out, especially when driving at night, as their little legs can’t carry them very fast out the way.

In a Facebook post the organisation explained what to do if you happen to find a hedgehog.

‘If you find one in your garden, leave a bowl of water out. Make sure your pool is filled to the brim or leave floating devices for them to climb on. Check your pool every morning. Dogs attack Hedgehogs so please keep your dogs on leads when walking or call for help if your dogs find one in your garden. Please don’t use pesticides as these little guys eat all the bugs you don’t want – a natural insect solution.

‘Lastly, if you do find a hedgehog in distress, please contact Friends of Free Wildlife. They must be checked out by a vet. Often they do need medical attention. We’ve had lots of Hedgehogs in pools and a few dog catches. Thank you for caring.’

To find out how to make your garden hedgehog friendly, or to build your own hedgehog holiday resort, click here.

Picture: Screenshot from Youtube video






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