Rescue centre full of dehydrated hedgehogs

Staff at a hedgehog rescue centre say they are at full capacity treating dozens of dehydrated animals because of months of intense heat.

Yvonne Cox, co-founder of Hedgehog Rescue in Yate near Bristol, said the animals have been "coming in thick and fast", with about 40 mothers and babies currently being cared for in the centre.

Cox said the creatures have been struggling to find food and drink in the hot dry weather, and that the issue has been exacerbated due to it being the peak of baby season.

"We're having a lot of hoglets coming in that seem to be separated from mum, or maybe mum has perished," she said.

Cox listed warning signs to help people identify a struggling hedgehog, including seeing them wandering around in the day looking lethargic and wobbly.

"They're nocturnal animals, but in this extreme heat, they may leave the nest because the nest site might just get too warm," said Cox.

Other warning signs include finding a hedgehog lying on the floor or seeing flies buzzing around it.

Lauren Valentine, wildlife care and veterinary services manager at Secret World Wildfire Rescue in East Huntspill, near Highbridge in Somerset, said summer is the busiest time for staff.

Like Cox, she said the recent hot weather had "exacerbated" the number of cases at the centre.

She added that their hedgehog wing - named Hogwarts - had moved to a temporary unit as the original wing is too hot and the air conditioner unit had broken.

Amid the high temperatures, staff have treated animals suffering with dehydration and disorientation caused by the heat, as well as those with injuries, Valentine said.

"It snowballs... if they're disorientated, they're more likely to be found by a predator.

"They can't evade that predator because they're dehydrated and not feeling too well, so it all compounds," she said.

Members of the public are encouraged to leave water out for hedgehogs and other wildlife who may struggle in the heat and urged to report animals in need of help to wildlife centres where they can get professional care.

Some parts of the UK have experienced hotter temperatures than normal during the first part of July, with parts of the south-west England exceeding 30C (86F) for ten days.

Stuart McCarthy-Thompson from Avon Wildlife Trust said the prolonged dry weather has made life difficult for hedgehogs - a species which has been in decline for years.

"The ground is very dry, making it hard to find their usual food such as beetles and worms, and natural sources of water are in short supply," he said.

Grace Johnson from the People's Trust for Endangered Species said placing shallow dishes of clean, fresh water in the garden can help hedgehogs and other wildlife.

"Allowing sections of the garden to be wild and overgrown can also help by offering shade and shelter," she said.

McCarthy-Thompson said you can also support hedgehogs by providing meaty dog or cat food along with the water.

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