Hedgehog rescue centre at 'full capacity'

One of the most common reasons for the animals to be rescued is due to dehydration, experts say

A wildlife sanctuary says it is at full capacity after looking after dozens of injured and poorly hedgehogs.

Prickles in a Pickle, in Stoke Flemming, south Devon, is currently caring for more than 200 hedgehogs. It said it had been the busiest year to date.

Alan Pook and his partner Judy Thomson have run the sanctuary from their home for the last 18 years.

The pair said one of the most common reasons for the animals to be rescued was due to dehydration.

Alan Pook and his partner Judy Thomson have run the sanctuary from their home for the last 18 years

Mr Pook said despite a lot of rain this summer there was not enough safe drinking water for the animals, especially in built-up areas.

He urged people to put out shallow dishes of water for the animals and to make sure hedgehogs could travel through gardens via hedgehog highways.

Ms Thomson said: “Water is an absolute lifesaver.

"That alone costs nothing and actually makes a huge difference.”

The sanctuary takes in the injured animals from across the south-west of England and then when they have improved they are released back into the wild.

Mr Pook fears they will soon be unable to accept any new animals.

“We have been running for probably the last five to six weeks on maximum capacity," he said.

"If we can’t move some out, then we can’t unfortunately move any others in.

"That is the nature of the beast, and it breaks your heart knowing they will be out there dying because we can’t take them in.”

He added it seemed more people were bringing in hedgehogs and there were fewer rescue centres available in the region.