SWCC Shepreth Hedgehog Hospital
If you find an injured, sick or orphaned hedgehog, please call our Emergency Hospital Line on 07947 361187
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If you find an injured, sick or orphaned hedgehog, please call our Emergency Hospital Line on 07947 361187 ·
The European hedgehog is under threat from changes to their natural habitat caused by humans. The Hedgehog Hospital at Shepreth treats and rehabilitates hedgehogs before release back into the wild.
Hedgehog Hospital Project
SWCC runs an on-site Hedgehog Hospital for the treatment and rehabilitation of hedgehogs brought in by the public before release back into the wild. Hedgehogs are brought in from across Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, as well as from surrounding areas, such as Greater London, Suffolk and Bedfordshire.
The project is currently run by a small number of permanent hospital staff, volunteers, animal keepers and SWCC Trustees. The Hospital educates visitors to the Wildlife Park about the project and the species through interpretation displayed on the building, this website and through a programme of working with local schools.
Hedgehog Rehabilitation and Conservation
The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus), is not formally protected, but is recognised of principal importance for conserving biodiversity under section 41 (England) of the NERC Act (2006). In the UK, research suggests a fifth of the population die out every four years. So the work of hedgehog rehabilitation may prove to be vital for the longterm survival of the population. In rural environments, threats to the species have been identified as directly or indirectly related to anthropogenically derived factors (such as habitat loss and fragmentation, pesticide use, road traffic) as well as natural impact (including predation and prey item availability).
Successful rehabilitation and release can only be considered effective if the animals not only survive back in the wild, but also continue to breed and repopulate areas. This evidence can only be obtained from post-release monitoring techniques. Various release methods and sites can be compared for best practise for future releases. Additionally, monitoring the disease burden on wild populations will indicate future complications.
The SWCC Hedgehog Hospital intends that all its activities should be based on a sound scientific footing rather than driven solely by wishful thinking. The hospital’s aim is to integrate hedgehog rehabilitation with conservation, and to avoid rehabilitation practices that may conflict with the conservation of free-living hedgehog populations.
Clinical Activities at the Hospital
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Education
Preserved examples of important ecto- and endo-parasites will be prepared as a teaching resource based at the hospital.
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Parasitology
Ectoparasites from hedgehogs admitted to the hospital will be collected, preserved, and when funds allow, investigated for the carriage of potential pathogens.
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Pathology
Other non-invasive investigations into hedgehog diseases will be undertaken as time and resources allow.
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Publications
Publication of data generated by these research activities will be a priority.
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Post-mortem
Where possible hedgehogs presented to the hospital dead, or that die whilst in the hospital, are subjected to a post mortem examination to generate information on the conditions and diseases from which wild hedgehogs suffer. This information will help inform future rehabilitation efforts.
Watch our Behind the Scenes Video
Watch as Lucy Hodges, Hedgehog Hospital Welfare Assistant, takes you on a private tour behind the scenes of our Hedgehog Hospital. Learn what we do on our day to day, meet some of our spiky patients and find out how you can help us.
Hospital Statistics
Hedgehog admissions per year
Total hedgehog admissions since opening
5,675
Christmas Hedgehog Ball
Shepreth Wildlife Park is turning 40 this year! Celebrate with us on December 21st 2024 at King’s College, Cambridge. All proceeds are in aid of the SWCC Hedgehog Hospital.