Albino hedgehog Ghost in good spirits
THE future is rosy for a rare albino hedgehog rescued, and recently released, by a Devon animal welfare charity, writes Roger Malone.
‘Ghost’, as the volunteers at ELM Wildlife Hedgehog Rescue, Care and Rehabilitation have named the hog, is currently being monitored in a safe environment.
The prickly character, who resembles a punk sporting a bleached hairstyle, won the hearts of everyone at the centre based at Seale Hayne, near Newton Abbot.
When he came into the care of the largest hedgehog rescue centre in Devon towards the end of August, ‘Ghost’ was a sickly 330g in weight.
A member of the public found the hedgehog wandering about in daylight and brought it in believing it was an African Pigmy hedgehog. Emily Parker, who helps run the sanctuary with her parents Rick and Jacky, says the animal was in very poor condition.
“He had roundworm, lungworm and fluke – which is a parasite that burrows into the intestines. On top of that he was plastered in fleas,” says 25-yearold Emily, who has a degree in animal science.
“All hedgehogs have parasites but it is only when they have a stressful situation or cannot find food that their immunity is weakened and the parasites take over and overwhelm them,” says Emily.
Fortunately, with the dedication of the team of centre volunteers the condition of ‘Ghost’ steadily began to improve. Along with some 100 hedgehogs currently receiving life-saving treatment at the centre, ‘Ghost’ has been returned to the wild with a clean bill of health.
When returned to the wild several days ago ‘Ghost’ had been built up to a healthy 800g of body weight. That is 300g more than the minimum the centre will allow for a hedgehog released at this time of year.
“Some say that he should be kept in captivity as he would be safer, however we feel that he is a wild animal and should live as one. We want him to have a natural life,” said Emily.
ELM Wildlife Hedgehog Rescue, Care and Rehabilitation is a family run charity which welcomes volunteers and donations, and can be contacted on 07971 276658.