AN ENCOURAGING number of people are willing to rush to the aid of a distressed animal, but at this time of year many nests of little hedgehogs are "rescued" unnecessarily. The trouble is that when their mothers disappear temporarily on a foraging expedition they can start squeaking, and it is a pitiful sound.

If you find a nest of little hedgehogs in your own garden please leave them be. Mother hedgehogs don't like humans near their babies, and if they sense the young have been disturbed they may even attack them. If you hear the babies squeaking and there's no sign of their mum she could just be out "shopping" for worms and insects to feed them. Make absolutely sure she is not going to return before you think of rescuing them. We provide members with many leaflets on hedgehog care, including one of Caring for Hoglets. Membership of BHPS costs only £5 a year for one person, £10 for a family or group. For details and a free copy of our Hogalogue send an A5 stamped, self-addressed envelope to the address below.

Anyone who wishes to learn more about the Society, its activities and the wide range of Hedgehog goods which are sold should send a stamped addressed envelope to the address below.

A H Coles

British Hedgehog Preservation Society

Knowbury House

Shropshire SYS 3LQ

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.