Urban hedgehogs are often victims of drowning in swimming pools, dog bites or vehicles.
Friends of Free Wildlife in Midrand, South Africa, is a wildlife rehabilitation centre that aims to rescue, rehabilitate and release injured urban animals into safer and wilder environments.
They shared a video on Facebook of a rescued hoglet being fed by hand. They said the hedgehog was one of a few siblings brought in after being rescued and that it was ‘super chilled when taking [its] milk’.
Urban and suburban gardens are popular spots for hedgehogs as there is a plentiful supply of food and there are areas for them to nest for breeding and hibernation. Hedgehogs are not very territorial and their home ranges change during the year, which means that they are often on the move.
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Friends of Free Wildlife was founded in 2015 by ‘passionate and qualified wildlife rehabilitators who have built a community-based and public-funded volunteer organisation.’
They operate under a Rehabilitation Permit granted by GDARD (Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development) and are a registered NPO (Non-Profit Organisation). They also work closely with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA).
The organisation relies solely on donations, sponsorship and volunteers from the public and is an approved Public Benefit Organisation. If you’d like to become a monthly donor then you can do so by following this link.
Picture: Screenshot from video
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