Unfortunate hedgehog stuck in a tin of carrots

Hedgehog at East Winch Wildlife Centre © RSPCA

24.05.12

We’ve come to the rescue of an unfortunate hedgehog that managed to get himself well and truly stuck in a tin of carrots.

The hapless hog was discovered on Sunday, 13 May by a couple who found him on the side of a road in King’s Lynn, Norfolk with his head wedged in the can.

At first the members of the public thought the hedgehog might be dead but then he suddenly moved.

Hog freed with minor injuries

The couple could not remove the hedgehog themselves but cut off the other end of the tin can in order to allow the hedgehog to breathe. They then contacted us.

The hedgehog was taken to our East Winch Wildlife Centre in Norfolk where staff managed to free the hedgehog from the tin.

The hedgehog had minor injuries including a wound to his left axilla (underarm), a grazed foot from scratching at the tin and a slight swelling under his chin.

He has been given antibiotics and wormer and is being monitored by vets at the hospital.

Centre manger Alison Charles, said:

The hedgehog is doing very well despite his ordeal and is eating and drinking well and resting up in his box.

Litter can cost lives

Each year we receive over 7,000 phone calls about litter-related incidents. Our officers regularly rescue pets, farm and wild animals trapped or hurt by discarded litter.

Alison continued:

This again highlights the dangers that litter can pose to wildlife.

Incidents like this can easily be prevented if people just picked up their rubbish rather than throwing it away and remember to squeeze cans together before throwing them away.

Had this hedgehog not been found he would have died a slow and painful death. But thankfully this has a happy ending.

I am not sure why he chose a can of carrots to investigate, it is not the normal thing you would find on a hedgehog’s choice of lunch menu. Perhaps he wanted to see better in the dark!