Hedgehogs find refuge in Halberstadt Zoo in winter
Injured or malnourished hedgehogs are being nursed back to health at Halberstadt Zoo. The animals in need of help are treated for fleas and worms, fed and, if possible, released into the wild before it gets cold, explained deputy zoo manager Florian Hartmann. "But the time frame is getting pretty tight," said the expert. "This means that if any hedgehogs arrive now, they will spend the winter with us."
The animals that are big enough will then hibernate in boxes in cooler rooms in the zoo. The hedgehogs that are too small are placed in heated rooms during the cold winter months and cared for there. In spring, the animals are then released into the wild in a suitable location. A total of four hedgehogs are currently at home at the station in the zoo.
However, not all hedgehogs brought to the zoo by concerned animal lovers are taken in. Often the hedgehogs are not missing anything, said Hartmann. A hedgehog that is potentially in need of help can be recognized, for example, if the animal, which is actually nocturnal, is found outside during the day. "If it has obvious injuries, you should of course take it to the vet," said Hartmann. Some hedgehogs also have lungworms. This can be recognized by the fact that they cough a lot - in this case, too, a visit to the vet makes sense.
In the region, it is "a good hedgehog year because it has rained more than in recent years", explained Hartmann. In previous years, however, the animals had found fewer insects and worms due to the lack of rainfall. "It's very convenient for them that the winters are no longer quite so long," said Hartmann. This means that the animals no longer hibernate for so long and can return to their search for food more quickly.
If you want to do something good for the prickly inhabitants in your own garden, you could put a plant saucer with water out for the hedgehogs. In addition to special hedgehog food, the animals would also enjoy dry food for dogs and cats, said Hartmann. You could also set up a shelter in a corner of the garden made of leaves or wood. Above all, however, the expert warns against switching on the robotic lawnmower at night. The sharp blades are often a deadly danger for nocturnal animals.
The treatment of hedgehogs at Halberstadt Zoo extends beyond winter, as smaller hedgehogs spend the cold months in heated rooms. Protecting hedgehogs in nature is important, especially during good rainfall years like this one, where insects and worms are plentiful for them.
Source: www.dpa.com
