Hedgehogs are experiencing significant decline in the British Isles – just in the last 20 years we’ve lost 30% of the hedgehog population. It’s a serious crisis affecting this charismatic animal.
This week, Tabi, Billy and Ed from Cheltenham Green Party met up with the Prickly Finders Hedgehog Society of the University of Gloucestershire to talk about how we can help hogs in our community.The Prickly Finders are working towards a silver award initiative for a hedgehog-friendly campus at Francis Close Hall, having already completed bronze award level for their incredible work.
They carry out regular litter picks, hold public information sessions for local students, and build houses and shelters for wandering hogs. It was really exciting to learn about their work, and really inspiring to know that hedgehogs are so valued to Cheltenham residents.
Tabi has a few years’ background experience working with hedgehogs, both through two-day first aid training courses with Hedgehog Helpline Cymru, and at Brockworth Hedgehog Rescue. She gave an hour-long presentation on hedgehog habits, basic first aid and health checks, with a quick Q&A afterwards.
If you’d like to learn more about Hedgehog Friendly Campuses, check out the website here.
Tabi’s always up for giving her first aid presentation and helping Cheltenham learn more about hedgehogs, so if you need a short overview of hedgehog care, please drop her a line.
Follow the Prickly Finders on Instagram here!
