Birth of six baby hedgehogs surprises rescuers

The six hoglets were born at an animal shelter after its mother was taken in

An animal shelter volunteer has shared her surprise after six baby hedgehogs were born under her care.

Kay Clark, 71, was cleaning out a hedgehog enclosure at Pawz for Thought in Washington, Sunderland, when she discovered one of the hoglets clinging to its mother.

"As I lifted her out, this little baby which had just been born rolled out on to the paper," she said.

Ms Clark has taken the new family home so she can look after them in a quieter environment and has given them their own hog box to live in.

"I will not open the lid for about two or three weeks as I don't want to frighten the mother or put her off because it all seems as if it's all going good," she said.

Ms Clark said after about six weeks hedgehogs separated from their young, which were still very vulnerable.

She intends to find the hoglets safe homes to give them the best chance of survival.

After about six weeks the mother will be released and the hoglets will be taken to gardens with hedgehog boxes

"We've got people who are really good and have hedgehog houses and nice gardens in nice areas," she said.

"They will take them and support-feed them because the poor things are struggling."

The mother had been brought in to the animal shelter after she was discovered with a cut near her head. The Pawz for Thought team also realised she was infected with parasitic roundworm.

She was treated with antibiotics and worming medication, which she finished before she gave birth.

Pawz for Thought is currently looking after about 30 hedgehogs but in the height of the summer the volunteers can be caring for up to 300.

Ms Clark said this time of year was particularly difficult for the animals because of the heat.

"If you see them in the garden put a bit of food out - dry cat food is what they like - and water is really essential," she said.