Six baby hedgehogs were lucky to escape alive after being found in a bonfire just before it was about to be lit.
Ramsgill-based hedgehog rescue centre, HAPPY (Hedgehog Appreciation Prickly Pals Yorkshire) was called by a vet in Ripon this week to say the animals had been found just in the nick of time.
Jacqui Morrell, who runs the centre with her husband Peter, said the lucky animals “had a close shave”.
Ms Morrell said hedgehogs like the secluded space offered by an unlit bonfire but many people don’t often think to look for them, or other animals, before lighting up.
She said:
“Bonfires are ideal homes for hedgehogs but people don’t always think about wildlife. There’s all sorts in bonfires and it’s not just hedgehogs.”
Ms Morrell added that the hedgehogs will eventually be released back into the area where they were found.
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The centre was previously based in Ripon but recently moved to a larger property in Nidderdale.
The Morrells are currently looking after 40 hedgehogs where they will nurse them back to health before releasing them into the wild.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal and Ms Morrell said if you spot one in daylight hours, it means they are in trouble and need help.
If you see a hedgehog during the daytime call HAPPY on 07506 186567.
Ms Morrell added:
Number of reptiles at Knaresborough rescue centre doubles“Don’t delay if you see one out in the town.”
The number of reptiles handed in to a rescue centre in Knaresborough has doubled over lockdown because owners can’t afford to look after them.
Knaresborough exotic rescue has seen the number of animals given to them double over the past three months to 40 animals. Pet owners have said it is due to financial strains caused by coronavirus.
Daniel Holmes, owner of the rescue, said:
“A lot of people are scared because they don’t know how they’re going to feed their animal.”
Snakes, snails and hedgehogs are just a selection of the animals the rescue centre has taken in over lockdown.
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The rescue centre cares for huge reptiles such as reticulated pythons, which can grow to 30 feet, down to smaller animals such as mice.
The centre tries to adopt out as many of the animals as they can, but lockdown has made that more difficult. It hopes to continue their adoption scheme as lockdown eases.