A CARING group of people in the local area are making a real difference in protecting and caring for hedgehogs.

Bow Hedgehog SOS, under the expert guidance of local hedgehog expert John Groves, is feeding and fostering hedgehogs, treating those that are ill, as well as providing practical help and advice to enable others to care for them.

The hedgehog was recently added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, meaning it is vulnerable to extinction.

Group member Elizabeth Manneh explained: "A Bow resident Sharon Malia realised that lots of hedgehogs were being found in Bow, so she organised for hedgehog carer John Groves to come to Bow and give a talk on what to do if we find a sick or injured hedgehog.

"At this meeting John said it would help him if people were willing to foster a hedgehog when it’s finished its treatment, and fatten it up for hibernation. This would free him up to focus on those that are tiny or very sick. That’s when I (and others) said we could help."

Elizabeth added that Bow Hedgehog SOS was set up to inform residents about hedgehogs in the area and what to do if they find one needing help, and to establish and co-ordinate a network of foster carers to help with the hogs.

Elizabeth set up a Facebook page, and put out a request for fosterers, and now the group has several on a waiting list who want to foster a hog.

She added: "John is now mentoring me to provide care for small or sick hedgehogs and administer some medications. He provides more expert care and advice when needed. Once these hogs are well enough, they’re being fostered out ready for release."

Elizabeth continued: "I became involved because I wanted to do something practical to help our native wildlife, especially the hedgehog as it’s so vulnerable.

"We were already feeding wild hedgehogs in our garden, so it seemed a natural step to help. I feel it’s a privilege to be able to do something practical to help our endangered hedgehogs to survive."

VULNERABLE

Hedgehogs have been placed on the "vulnerable to extinction" list because of a loss of habitat due to intense agriculture and more garden fencing, an increase in badgers, illnesses, an increase in road traffic and climate change to name but a few of the reasons.

How to tell if a hedgehog needs help:

• A healthy hedgehog should look like a round football not an oval rugby ball when curled up

• Hedgehogs need to be 600g to be sure of hibernating successfully. If you find a small one, it probably needs fattening up.

• Hedgehogs are nocturnal. If you find one out in the daytime it’s probably sick or injured, and needs rescuing.

• If you can see an injury or blood.

What to do if you find a sick or injured hedgehog:

• Cold will kill a hedgehog very quickly. Put it in a box or pet carrier together with a hot water bottle or warm wheat pad wrapped in a towel to prevent burns

• Offer water but NOT food. If it eats when it’s cold, blood will go the digestive system rather than towards warming the hog and it could die.

• Call Bow Hedgehog SOS (07841 569150) or your local rescue service.

HOW TO HELP

Asked how people could help the Bow Hedgehog SOS, Elizabeth explained: "Naturally, caring for hedgehogs involves some expense, and as we’re not a registered charity we’re always grateful for any donations.

"Although local vets will examine hedgehogs with no charge, we have to pay for any medications needed."

People can also help by donating:

• Newspapers

• Wine boxes (the kind for storing six bottles)

• Tesco kitten biscuits with chicken and rice (this is the food the group uses for the hogs it cares for – they’re used to this and the group doesn’t want to slow their recovery down by offering food they may not like)

• Whiskas cat food – meat or poultry in jelly, not gravy. Not fish-based food.

• Shallow feeding bowls e.g. pet bowls, individual lasagne dishes, saucers etc.

These can be left at Arrow House, just down from the White Hart pub on the main road in Bow.

THANKS

Elizabeth expressed thanks to everyone who has helped so far, describing it as "a great community effort!"

In particular she thanked Sharon Malia for organising the meeting which resulted in the group being formed, John Groves for expert care and mentoring, all of the volunteer foster carers and Bow Co-Op for saving wine boxes.

People can connect with the group via the Bow Hedgehog SOS Facebook page, where it has more information and updates on its activities.

• The British Hedgehog Preservation Society says hedgehogs are currently desperately seeking food to lay down fat reserves for the long winter "sleep" so asks people to leave out for them cat or dog food or cat biscuits and some unfrozen water to drink.

The Society also suggests leaving in a garden some suitable hedgehog accommodation such as an undisturbed log pile, to always check bonfires and, where possible, to leave a CD case size hole in boundary walls and fences to allow access for hedgehogs. It adds please have a socially distanced chat with your neighbour to check they are happy first!