This post is not strictly about the hedgehog highway, but still important I feel.

Last night I got a call from someone who had found an obviously ill hedgehog - but was struggling because her local rescue centre was observing the CV-19 shut down. And I realised that this was a problem I had not even considered .... what are we to do if we can't get to our rescues and they can't come to us?

People love hedgehogs (that is why you are here!) - they come into our lives and let us get close. This closeness is not out of any 'magic' - it is because the evolution of the coat of defensive spines (simply modified hair) has removed from the hedgehog the need to have a 'fight or flight' response. When a hedgehog is feeling nervous it first frowns (the frown muscle on a hedgehog reaches all the way down to the tail) bringing the spines forward over the face - and then takes the traditional ball position. Anyway - they don't run and they don't attack, so we can get close. And this is why they are the most regularly taken into care species. 

But what can we do when the experts are unable to help? First - we remember that we are NOT experts. But experts have put together resources that can be found - and the first port of call is the British Hedgehog Preservation Society - there is a vast amount of help to be found on here and I point you to the First Aid leaflet as a starting point.

If the hedgehog has an obvious and distressing injury - from a car or a strimmer for example - there is little we as non-experts can do. I suggest you call 01584 890801 (BHPS) to see if they can point you to someone close by who is open - or you call your local vet and see if they can help. It might just be a case that the poor animal needs to be put to sleep.

If you see a hedgehog out in the day time - especially if it is appearing to sunbathe or looks drunk - it is ill and will probably die unless you take action. Get it into a box (high sided and well lined with newspaper), keep it warm and give it something to drink. You can make a hot water bottle out of a drinks bottle filled with warm water - but do check that you don't let it go cold.

Please do NOT give the hedgehog milk - this can make them very ill. 

Read the leaflet - follow guidance - and call 01584 890801 for further advice. It is possible that there are local carers to you who will be able to help over the phone. 

And in the meantime - why not explore making connections with your neighbours (if you are lucky enough to have a garden) - now is the time to have the conversation about making the hole, if you have not already! Hedgehog Streets need to keep spreading ... the easier it is for hedgehogs to move about, the less likely they are to need rescuing.

I really hope that you are all okay - it is a strange thing, to be writing to nearly 700,000 people - because I do feel a connection - I do care that we are all coping as best we can. So while on shut down why not use the opportunity to SHARE this petition again ... when we eventually emerge I want to be able to present the government with the amazing result of 750,000 people signed up - help me get there!

And for light relief - my wife made a short film yesterday of our life in isolation .... would love your thoughts on my thoughts!