"If we come across a hedgehog at that time of the year, we can be almost certain that it was roused from sleep," says Agnieszka Pytrzyk, a natural scientist. "It may have been activated by warm weather or by some human action, such as pre-spring gardening work," she adds.
A hedgehog that has suddenly been roused from sleep is not ready to take care of food. It will look for a new shelter and, most importantly, warmth. That’s why hedgehogs go out to streets. The roadway surface attracts them, because it warms up at the fastest pace. Unfortunately, most of the hedgehogs that warm their limbs on the asphalt are killed under wheels of cars.
How to help?
In Wroclaw, hedgehogs are helped out by the Wroclaw guard Ekostraż. This organisation has already saved the lives of hundreds of animals. A special telephone line is available round the clock – if you want to report any intervention concerning a small animal, even a wild one, just call
605 78 22 14
And if you find a hedgehog wandering down the road, it is best to catch it in a manner that will not do it any harm.
Hedgehogs are not fast animals. They will most probably curl up into a ball – in such case, they can be wrapped in some material and brought into a cardboard box. Then it is best to call Ekostraż, because hedgehogs should not be transported to other areas, particularly forests - they will not get by and are the most likely to die of freezing or starvation. Ekostraż can put hedgehogs in special temporary shelters, in which they can stay safe till spring.
Post-accident care
When you find an injured hedgehog, you should behave in the same way. If it is lying on the street, you should carry it safely to the road shoulder and provide it with warmth if possible. You can also take the hedgehog to a veterinarian, but it is best to notify the accident to Ekostraż. Ecologists have their own list of institutions that specialise in treating animals of this kind.
