"Watch out for hedgehogs", gardeners warned after wave of strimmer injuries

Sue Davis, who runs Little Legs Hedgehog Rescue at Bramley, said she had so far had two hedgehogs brought in with injuries caused by strimmers, while Sunnyside refuge For the Love of Hedgehogs has seen two and Wath Hedgehog Rescue has also had a casualty.

At least four animals have had to be put to sleep due to injuries suffered just a couple of weeks after coming out of hibernation

Sue said: “I’ve had two hedgehogs come in with strimmer injuries so far, one with the quills missing and the second had a massive wound and had to be put to sleep.

“Pauline who runs the rescue at Sunnyside (For the Love of Hedgehogs) has also had two that has had to be put to sleep and I also know the rescue at Wath has also had one.

“Most rescues have seen them and the poor hedgehogs have only been awake a couple of weeks.”

Sue recommended checking long grass and borders before using strimmers in the garden.

With hedgehogs now officially classed as vulnerable to extinction, they face so many threats to their lives, including being hit by vehicles, loss of habitat and chemical use in the garden.

Studies have shown that hedgehogs now rely on our gardens more than ever, with hugely declining numbers in rural areas.

Numbers have stabilised in our gardens and this is partly down to raising awareness of their plight but also due to the tireless efforts of the rescues.

"You can support hedgehogs in your garden by providing food (kitten kibble) and water,” said Sue.

“Keep your gardens open so that the hedgehogs can roam and forage for food. “They only need a 13cm gap to pass through and this gap is vital to ensure they can travel each night, with some hedgehogs travelling up to 2km in search of food and mates.”