AS ISLANDERS don their gardening gloves, a hedgehog protection charity has warned to look out for the animals, after some suffered “serious” injuries inflicted by garden strimmers.
The Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group (JHPG) said two hedgehogs have already been admitted to their care this year after being cut by garden strimmers, including one which had to be “sewn up” by a veterinary surgeon.
The warnings come ahead of Hedgehog Awareness Week next month – held from 4 to 10 May – that aims to raise awareness of the creatures’ habits and how people can better protect them.
The JHPG has reminded islanders to check before they strim their gardens in case they disturb the nocturnal creatures’ nests, which are usually hidden in twig and leaf piles, compost heaps and long grass under hedges.
They added that at this time of year, their nests are likely to also contain young hoglets who will also be at risk if they are disturbed.
As the weather warms and more people ready their gardens for summertime, the wildlife group has issued advice to protect the vulnerable species and other garden creatures at risk in Jersey, including leaving a safe space for nests, providing a drink of water and a source of food.
Materials needed to support the species in your garden, such as wire meshing, food and nesting boxes, can be provided by the charity. Contact jerseyhedgehogs@hotmail.co.uk
Shaded box
DOs
- Leave a bowl of water out for wildlife and insects (add pebbles for birds and insects to drink safely)
- Leave a corner or edge of your garden with longer grass and wild areas to provide habitat and a source of food
- Check that hedgehogs could climb out of garden ponds or swimming pools if they were to fall in
- Make sure that hedgehogs’ spines do not get caught in garden football nets or plant netting
- As the ground hardens in the dry weather hedgehogs cannot dig for food. Dry cat biscuits can be left out for them to eat
DONTs
- Avoid pesticides and slug pellets to prevent poisoning hedgehogs’ food and use natural plant protection such as beer traps, egg shells, coffee grounds, and copper tape
