The young carers
Kyra and Sophie, age 15, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
I first met these two when they were just 12 – they had recently set up Hedgehog Friendly Town, a local hedgehog hospital in Stratford-upon-Avon. They are dedicated, knowledgeable young people who give me great hope for the future. They have been recognised widely for their work, receiving commendations and awards from the RSPCA, Jane Goodall and the prime minister, among others. To date, the duo has helped 554 hedgehogs.
“Initially we just looked after and fed hedgehogs until they could be released,” explains Kyra. “However, now we have been trained to do injections with different types of medications, treat with fluids and also use a nebuliser.”
“We have learnt so much,” adds Sophie. “And it is more than just the individual hedgehogs we are trying to help. They need a safe and ecologically diverse habitat, too. So, when we can, we go around schools sharing our knowledge and experience.” ● hedgehogfriendlytown.co.uk
hedgehogs, especially when compared to the superficially more ‘natural’ rural landscape.
To understand this more clearly, I find it useful to imagine an island. One male hedgehog on a beautiful island with ample food and shelter will not bring about a viable population. Neither will a million hedgehogs on a small island, because there won’t be sufficient resources to go around. You need the right sized population on the right sized island.
Hedgehog ‘islands’ may not be encircled by water, but they are bordered by busy roads and canals, and carved up by fences