Six orphaned hedgehog hoglets, rescued by rangers at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest during July, are now being released back into the woodland. The first three — including Star, Hansel, and Gretel — have already returned to the forest, with the remaining three expected to follow in the coming weeks. This surge in abandoned youngsters follows this summer's prolonged hot, dry weather, which has made it significantly harder for mother hedgehogs to find food and water.
Rescue and Rehabilitation
The hoglets were discovered by rangers and guests at various locations across the Sherwood Forest village. Some were just three weeks old, found alone, dehydrated, and in urgent need of care. Star, the first hoglet to complete rehabilitation, weighed just 102g when rescued. After several weeks under the care of local volunteer hedgehog rehabilitator Beverley Moore, Star reached a healthy release weight of 583g and was returned to the forest alongside Hansel and Gretel last week.
Senior conservation ranger Kate Doull expressed relief that the vigilance of staff and guests allowed the hoglets to be brought to safety quickly. "Rescuing six hoglets in a single month is highly concerning, but I am relieved that the vigilance of our staff and guests has meant that we were able to get them to safety very quickly," she said.
Heatwave Impact on Hedgehogs
This summer's series of heatwaves has hardened the ground, making it much more difficult for hedgehogs to find the worms, beetles, and other invertebrates they rely on for food. As mother hedgehogs travel further to forage, some young become separated from the nest before they are old enough to survive on their own. "This summer's series of heatwaves has made it much harder for mother hedgehogs to find enough food and water to support themselves and their young," Doull added.
Young hoglets found out during daylight hours are a particular cause for concern, as hedgehogs are nocturnal and youngsters of this age should still be safely in the nest. Whenever a hoglet was found, rangers first checked the surrounding area to ensure its mother was not nearby before transporting it safely to Moore, who is based in nearby Edwinstowe.
Soft Release Process
Before their full release, the first three orphans completed a 'soft release' within a secure enclosure at Sherwood Forest, allowing them to gradually adapt to life back in the wild while continuing to receive food, water, and shelter. The remaining three rescued hoglets will undergo the same process before being released back into the areas where they were originally found.
Moore described this as the worst year she has ever seen for abandoned hoglets, especially those that are so tiny. She advised: "If you do find one, place it in a high-sided box with a towel and some water but please don't feed them. If a hoglet is out during the day, get them safely to a wildlife rescue immediately as they desperately need help."
Looking Forward
Doull expressed optimism about the trio's return, saying, "Seeing the trio ready to return to the village is a fantastic milestone and we're looking forward to returning the remaining hoglets over the coming weeks." Center Parcs continues to work to protect and enhance biodiversity across its forests, with more information available on their website.
