Hedgehog recovers after strimmer injury

When wildlife lover Claire spotted a hedgehog with a strimmer injury in her garden, she knew she had to help. Thanks to RSPCA care, the hedgehog made a full recovery and later returned to Claire’s garden with a friend.

Published:

03/11/25
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Injured, afraid and in hiding

Claire’s wildlife-friendly garden is a haven for hedgehogs and other nearby animals, but when one of her regular hedgehogs started staying inside the hedgehog house all day, Claire became concerned. When she checked the camera footage inside the hedgehog house, it was clear the hedgehog needed help – she was missing spines and covered in ticks, likely from a strimmer accident – so she acted fast.

Before

Found in Claire’s garden with missing spines and covered in ticks, the hedgehog was likely injured elsewhere by a garden strimmer.

After

Fully healed and back in the wild, the hedgehog was seen returning to the garden, this time with a companion by her side.

She had lost many of her spines and was covered in ticks, but she made a great recovery.

Kayla Terry, Manager of RSPCA West Hatch

RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Centre treats injured hedgehog

After safely handling the hedgehog, Claire then transported her to our West Hatch Wildlife Centre, where our expert team treated her injuries and supported her recovery. The hedgehog spent several weeks in our care, resting and recovering, until she was ready to return home to her favourite wildlife-friendly garden.

Everyone can help make gardens safer – check for wildlife before you strim or mow.

Rebecca Machin, RSPCA Wildlife Expert

Over 10,000 wild animals were admitted to RSPCA centres last year.

Claire’s garden is a welcome space for wildlife of all kinds, complete with a pond, feeding stations and a hedgehog house. Soon after release, her trail cam showed the recovered hedgehog was back, and had brought a new friend to explore the garden alongside her. 

And that’s why we do what we do.

We rescue and release animals like this every day, thanks to caring people like Claire, and supporters like you. Seeing them back out in the wild, happy and healthy, is the reason we exist, and we couldn’t do what we do without animal lovers and wildlife friends all across the UK.

In fact, you can help us protect animals of every kind, every day, by taking part in empowering activities to support local wildlife – and becoming a Wildlife Friend.

Become a Wildlife Friend

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