De Bonte Piet wildlife shelter in Midwoud has helped other animal shelters with hedgehogs. For example, it took over ten from Papendrecht in South Holland, where a recording stop was threatened. “We can still get rid of them now, but things can suddenly go very fast. So I’m a bit worried about that,” says Andra Minnema of De Bonte Piet.
There are currently 125 hedgehogs being cared for in Midwoud. “That is slightly less than last year around the same time. But it has been very cold last week, so we were unable to release the recovered hedgehogs.”
Hopefully this week we will release hedgehogs into nature
Warmer weather is expected next week, which should give the Bonte Piet some air. “There are 25 scheduled for release. They are taken to special gardens where there is food and they can spend the winter,” Minnema explains.
Because although they still have space to accommodate hedgehogs, it is scarce. “We are in a warehouse where it is just about as cold as outside. We only have limited heated areas. Due to the crowds, we are looking at sacrificing the canteen or placing a portakabin outside.”
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“We never refuse animals,” Minnema continues. Yet she realizes that the challenge is great. Ten hedgehogs from hedgehog shelter Papendrecht have arrived because they are the influx couldn’t handle anymore. Hedgehogs are also sent from Den Helder to Bonte Piet. Wildlife shelter De Mushroom is over a temporary location and must forward animals within 48 hours.
National problems with an influx of hedgehogs
A national tour by ANP shows that animal shelters in the Netherlands currently have their hands full with hedgehogs. A warm spring and a cold week in early autumn weaken the animals. In addition, due to more and more buildings, less nature, and therefore less food, is available.
And there is also a shortage of shelters. “Last week we received six from the Mushroom. But there are now still forty there. If they had to come here all at once, I would panic. We are currently the only complete shelter above the North Sea Canal.”
Advice: do not collect hedgehogs yourself
Minnema also has some good advice for people who find hedgehogs. “Don’t take them in yourself, but contact us. It is well-intentioned, but if the animals do not improve, they will still be brought to us after a few days and we are already a few days behind. It is better if they are taken care of immediately. come to us.”