Freshfields Hedgehog over-wintering project
656 Male- Cedric
Came in December 2025 with a swollen ear and a minor case of ringworm. He is responding well to treatment, and we should be able to release him home very soon!
632 Female- Emily
Emily came in at 373g at the end of November. Too small for hibernation, she also had 2 different types of internal parasites that needed treatment. She responded so well and was happily released in January 2026 , weighing over 650g!
630 Male – Jamie
Came in November weighing just 160g! Definitely too small for hibernation and had 3 different types of internal parasites! He is still with us currently but is almost 600g now so should be able to go home soon.
613 Male – Fredrick
Fredrick came in in November, with a very bad case of ringworm (a fungal skin condition that is very contagious) He also had 3 different types of internal parasites that required treatment. He is responding well to his ringworm treatment and we hope will soon be able to go home.
547 – Female- Scarlet
Scarlet came in October weighing just 143g, she would not have survived hibernation! She also had some sore wounds along her skirt that she needed antibiotics for, and 3 different types of internal parasites! She responded lovely to all her treatments and was released in January, weighing 675g!
6 (2026) Female – Jessica
Jessica came in at the beginning of 2026 weighing just 277g. Thankfully she was spotted and brought in as she was too small for hibernation. She had 2 different types of internal parasites but responded quickly to treatment, gained lots of weight and was return back to the wild February!
566 – female – Matlida
Came in at just 147g in October, with a very bad case of mange. She has responded beautifully to treatment and has put a lot of weight on. She should be able to go back into the wild very soon.
In 2007 hedgehogs were made a priority conservation species in Britain under the then UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP).
Every year we rescue, rehabilitate and release over 500 hedgehogs. This endangered species is in desperate need of our help. We are working to protect them and tackle the threats to their ability to survive and thrive. With the number of admittances running well into triple figures and requests for our help often daily, our dedicated team works tirelessly for every hog, ensuring that each receives the very best care possible.
In 2025 we made some significant changes to the hedgehog’s care. We moved them to a quieter area to reduce noise pollution, we tweaked the medication they receive on arrival, we got some incubators for the really poorly hogs and we changed our release routine. All these changes have resulted in more hedgehogs surviving, and we have been able to release them faster!
This has been great for the hogs, much less stressful for them, and they can hibernate naturally back in the wild where they should be!
The few hogs that have had to overwinter with us are ones that are too small to survive hibernation or have injuries/issues that need medical treatment.
How can you help?
For each hog we provide daily care: cage cleaned, fresh bedding, water and food. They receive excellent medical and veterinary care. They are weighed weekly, and their progress is charted along with any other medical concerns. These efforts equate to hours of work each and every day. In monetary terms, we cost their care as £1 per hog per day, not including additional necessary individual medical treatments.
You can help us to continue this crucial work!
A one–off or regular donation of any amount will make such a difference. Or you may like to support one of our hogs through winter.
£7 will support a hog for a week
Please help us ensure that these beautiful creatures remain part of our wildlife in the UK for many years to come. We greatly value your support for our Hedgehogs.
THANK YOU.