Smoky the hedgehog, who was found hiding in one of the fire engine buildings at the Weston-super-Mare fire station last October, has just woken from hibernation and is getting ready to head back to his home just in time for Hedgehog Awareness Week.

Smoky was found hiding in a carrier bag where he’d crawled to get some rest. He was young and rather small. Typically, “autumn juveniles” or hedgehogs born late in the year struggle to put on enough weight to hibernate successfully so he was taken to Secret World Wildlife Rescue in East Huntspill, Somerset, for rehabilitation.

On arrival, the hog was underweight at 303g and was suffering from a heavy worm burden. Staff at Secret World treated him for worms, after which he started eating well on his own.

Trudi Howell, one of the animal carers at Secret World said: “Our objective is always to rehabilitate and release the animals in our care but before he could be released back into the wild, Smoky went into hibernation and so he has remained at Secret World until now.”

Secret World rescues and rehabilitates over 500 hedgehogs each year and over 100 of those spend the winter at Secret World’s hedgehog hibernation “hotel”.

Trudi added: “Smoky now weighs enough to be released and is getting ready to return home. I have visited the fire station and I have located a suitable release site within the grounds.”

Lee Wright, the Weston-super-Mare fire station site manager, said: “We are very happy to welcome Smoky back on the station grounds. It’s nice to hear he is back to full health and we’ll be keeping an eye out for him when he is back.”

Smoky should be back home just in time for Hedgehog Awareness Week which runs from 30th April to 6th May 2017. Organised by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), the week highlights the problems hedgehogs face and how you can help them.

The focus for this year’s Hedgehog Awareness Week will be on the BHPS’ strimmer campaign.  The charity has produced waterproof stickers that are being sent to councils, tool hire companies and grounds maintenance teams to remind operatives to check areas for hedgehogs before using any machinery. For more information, go to http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/hedgehog-awareness-week-2017/.

ENDS

Notes to editors:
About Secret World Wildlife Rescue
– Secret World Wildlife Rescue is one of the South West’s leading wildlife rescue charities (charity number 1097119) based in East Huntspill in Somerset.
– Now in its 25th year, Secret World Wildlife Rescue cares for more than 5,000 sick, injured and orphaned animals each year.
– As well as being a respected source of expertise and a centre of excellence where British wildlife receives the best care, Secret World has an extensive volunteer programme and engages with schools to promote respect for wildlife and the environment, adding further benefits to the local community.
– As Secret World does not receive any government funding, it relies entirely on the generosity of supporters and donors to carry out this important work for British wildlife.
– The charity’s website is www.secretworld.org

For media information, please contact:
Sarah-Jane Freni
Shooting Star
07939 217319
sarahjane@weareshootingstar.co.uk
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