Hedgehog rescued from 7 ft. ground pipe
RSPCA and Army Cadets help rescue hedgehog from ‘perilous spot’
A hedgehog was rescued from a ‘perilous spot’ after falling into a 7ft-deep pipe on an Army Camp in Dorset.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Jo Blackburn was called to Blandford Camp in Blandford Forum on Tuesday 21 April after a member of the public spotted the stricken hedgehog.
Jo said: “I was taken onto the Camp and to a deep, narrow pipe that went down into the ground. Using my torch I could just make out the hedgehog trapped at the bottom of the shaft with absolutely no way of getting out.
“She was a large female, so she was stuck fast and had curled into a tight ball; she must have been terrified.
“Using one of my long grasper poles I was able to get the loop around her body and carefully pull her free.”
Jo checked the hedgehog over and, thankfully, she didn’t appear to be injured or dehydrated.
Jo added: “She was a big, healthy female in good condition, so I don’t think she’d been stuck for too long, thankfully. She was large so she may well have been pregnant, and she was in a very perilous spot and would have perished if she’d not been found.
“Some lovely, enthusiastic Army officers were passing as I was rescuing her and were keen to help out so they helped me pop her in a cardboard box with some water and food. They were then going to release her back onto the campground at dusk.
“By working together we can create a world that’s kinder for all animals. We’d like to thank everyone who helped this hedgehog get the help she needed as quickly as possible.
“It’s the responsibility of us all to show kindness and compassion to all animals; everyone for every kind.
“If you find a sick or injured animal, or an animal who is trapped or has been abandoned, it’s important to get them the help they need as quickly as possible, so we have lots of advice on our website to help the public help animals themselves.”
Our specialist officers will always help with complex rescues like this where we can to ensure the safety of both the animal and the public by using our specialist skills, training and equipment.
But there are also lots of situations where animal lovers can help animals themselves. We’re asking the public to help smaller trapped animals if it’s safe to do so.
Hedgehog populations have declined dramatically over the past few decades. To find out more about them and how to help them thrive in your garden, check out our advice pages online.
More information on the work of the RSPCA is also available on the charity’s website.
