100th hedgehog released back into the wild at RAF St Mawgan
Royal Air Force base’s partnership with Cornish charity Prickles and Paws is helping the region’s hedgehog population to flourish
Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Rescue is delighted to share that it has released over 100 hedgehogs back into the wild at RAF St Mawgan since the airbase first became an official release site for the hedgehog rescue centre over four years ago.
Hedgehogs are classified as ‘vulnerable to extinction’ in the UK. Prickles and Paws is a hedgehog charity which admits injured hedgehogs and hoglets (baby hedgehogs) from all over Cornwall. When hedgehogs recover, they must be safely released back into the wild; where possible this should be close to where the hedgehog was first found, however when this area is deemed unsafe for the hedgehog, the charity contacts safe designated release sites in a similar area or of a similar habitat, such as RAF St Mawgan.
Prickles and Paws Co-Founder Katy South said: “RAF St Mawgan is the perfect release site for hedgehogs, particularly hoglets, who end up at our rescue from unknown or unsafe locations. It is a large, safe area, free from natural predators, with lots of space and habitat for them to roam. We also use other sites for releases, but RAF St Mawgan is the largest with over 20 nest boxes across the extensive site and it has several rewilded areas dedicated to hedgehog conservation. The team there are absolutely fantastic, they are so interested in our work and in helping these amazing creatures.
“Every year we admit more and more hedgehogs, so local partnerships such as these are invaluable to us. Seeing a healthy hedgehog go back to the wild is always a special moment for our team, and releasing our hundredth healthy hedgehog here at RAF St Mawgan is such a great way to start the year – we have a feeling it’s going to be another busy one!”
Sgt Paul Smith, RAF St Mawgan said: “RAF St Mawgan is committed to supporting a number of Environmental Initiatives, we find ourselves in the fortunate position of being able to provide a safe and suitable habitat for these vulnerable creatures due to uniquely being a training establishment rather than an active flying unit. Our estate has everything a hedgehog needs and that is showing in a growing population with releases and many released animals choosing to stay on site after release. The project and support is available 24/7 for last-minute releases and provides feeding in those first few vital days of being back in the wild. I am proud to be able to run a hedgehog conservation project here and more importantly support the great work that Prickles and Paws do.”
Prickles and Paws is a much-loved non-profit charity in Cubert, which has gained over 46,000 social media followers and attracted the support of patrons including model and TV celebrity Lucie Donlan and BBC Earth presenter Hannah Stitfall. The charity not only provides care for hedgehogs but is also very active in the local community, bringing people together to volunteer, offering educational talks and work placement opportunities.
Since January 2022, the charity has been fundraising hard for a new hedgehog hospital or “Hogspital” to help it to cope with ever-rising numbers of injured hedgehogs and hoglets, as, with over 1,400 hedgehog admissions each year, it outgrew its current residential premises some time ago. The new Hogspital, which is 65% of the way towards being fully funded, will enable the rescue to help up to four times as many hedgehogs as at present.
Donations for the new Hogspital can be made here.