The behaviour and survival of rehabilitated hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)
Published source details Morris P.A., Meakin K. & Sharafi S. (1993) The behaviour and survival of rehabilitated hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus). Animal Welfare, 2, 53-66.
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This study is summarised as evidence for the following.
| Action | Category | |
|---|---|---|
Rehabilitate injured, sick or weak mammals Action Link |
Rehabilitate injured, sick or weak mammals
A study in 1991 in a farmland site in Suffolk, UK (Morris et al. 1993) found that over one third of rehabilitated European hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus survived more than seven weeks after release into the wild. At least three out of eight (38%) rehabilitated hedgehogs survived over seven weeks post-release, though one then drowned and one was killed in a road accident. Contact was lost with four animals, but authors report that they were probably still alive at least five weeks after release. One hedgehog died due to illness within two weeks. Eight hedgehogs, rehabilitated after being found injured, ill or underweight, were released in a mosaic of pasture, hay meadow and arable land in July 1991. Animals were radio-tagged and followed nightly during the first three weeks post-release and sporadically until the eighth week post-release.
(Summarised by: Ricardo Rocha)
