Downham Parish Conservation Group and Hebbard’s Hedgehog Hotel in Little Downham are looking for 20 volunteer families to adopt and care for rehabilitated hedgehogs as part of the “Hedgehog Habitats” project supported by Sanctuary Housing.
The Hedgehogs Habits project is a community based wildlife release programme starting in Spring. Overwintering hedgehogs from rescue centre Hebbard’s Hedgehog Hotel in Little Downham, who are unable to be returned to their original homes after rehabilitation, will be released to three woodland sites around Little Downham village.
Volunteer families are needed to adopt a hedgehog house, visit the site weekly to check up on its prickly occupant and record conditions of the house, its environment, signs of disturbance or illness, put out food and water and weigh the hedgehogs in the Autumn before hibernation. Monthly meetings with project coordinators will also be required to discuss results.
“Hedgehogs really need our help”, says Carol Hebbard from Hebbard’s Hedgehog Hotel. “Populations have declined by over 70% in the past 30 years causing them to become endangered and each year we are seeing more and more being brought into the rescue too underweight to hibernate or suffering from illness. We are really excited about this project which will help boost the local hedgehog population, monitor the progress and let families from the local community get involved and develop new skills”. Full training will be given to volunteer families and a year’s commitment to this important project is required.
Simon Rudkin, Sanctuary’s Area Manager Sanctuary – Housing said: “This is an important project that allows people to get involved in helping to make a difference for local wildlife. We are happy to support the Hedgehog Hotel and the work of its volunteers.”
If your family would like to get involved then please contact Carol Hebbard on 01353 698338 or via the Hebbard’s Hedgehog Hotel Facebook page.
This project was part-funded by Sanctuary’s Grand Ideas Fund, which is currently accepting applications from community projects benefiting Sanctuary residents and their communities. To find out more about the fund, please call 01905 335411 or email community@sanctuary-housing.co.uk or visit www.sanctuary-housing.co.uk/about-the-grand-ideas-fund
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