Cornwall’s hedgehog heroes help record numbers return to the wild
By Charities Correspondent
There’s good news from Cornwall’s hedgehog heroes, with a dedicated rescue team helping record numbers of vulnerable hedgehogs get back into the wild.
Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Rescue has been busier than ever this summer, caring for hundreds of hedgehogs in need while also celebrating a record 104 releases during July alone.
The achievement has helped free up vital space for more hedgehogs arriving at the rescue.
Between January and the end of July 2026, the independent charity admitted 728 hedgehogs, including a record 253 in July – up from 161 during July 2025, an increase of 57.1%.
At its busiest, the rescue was caring for as many as 151 hedgehogs at one time.
The prolonged hot weather has added to the pressure, making food and water harder for wildlife to find.
The rescue says it has seen more dehydrated and underweight hedgehogs, along with an alarming number of abandoned baby hedgehogs, known as hoglets.
The smallest hoglets can require specialist feeds every two hours around the clock, putting further pressure on the charity's small team.
But the rescue now has an important new resource on its side – a purpose-built Hogspital.
Charity co-founder and Rescue Director Katy South said the new facility had been crucial as the number of admissions increased.
“We are incredibly relieved that we have our new purpose-built Hogspital to operate from now, as there is no way we could have coped with these numbers back in our former site.”
She added that the charity was “forever grateful” to its supporters and funders who helped make the new facility possible.
Prickles and Paws CEO John Lewis said the pressure on the rescue was immense, but the care team continued to work tirelessly.
“They are releasing almost as many rehabilitated hedgehogs as they are admitting, which is a time-consuming process in itself, but frees up essential incubators and hutches for the stream of new admissions.”
And people across Cornwall can play their part in helping local hedgehogs too.
During hot weather, the charity is encouraging households to leave shallow dishes of fresh water in their gardens each night, along with cat or kitten biscuits or a reputable brand of hedgehog food.
Water is particularly important during prolonged dry spells, when natural sources can become scarce.
People can also help by creating wildlife-friendly areas in their gardens, giving hedgehogs access to natural shelter and food.
Anyone who finds a hedgehog that appears injured, weak, lethargic, distressed or otherwise in need of help should contact their local wildlife rescue for advice rather than attempting to care for it themselves.
Those who want to support Prickles and Paws directly can join Prickle Planet, the charity’s regular giving scheme, from just £3 a month. Donations help cover the costs of food, medication and specialist care.
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The independent charity, based just outside Newquay, has built a community of more than 46,000 social media followers and has the backing of patrons including model and television personality Lucie Donlan, BBC Earth presenter Hannah Stitfall and author and British Hedgehog Preservation Society spokesperson Hugh Warwick.
Alongside its rescue work, Prickles and Paws brings people together through volunteering opportunities, educational talks and work placements, while also contributing to research into hedgehog conservation.
It has been an exceptionally busy summer for the team, but the record number of hedgehogs returned to the wild in July shows the difference its work – and the support of the wider community – can make.
And for every hedgehog successfully returned to the wild, there is one more little survivor back where it belongs: out in the countryside, doing what hedgehogs do best.
