THE weather has now turned cold, putting the lives of many young hedgehogs in jeopardy.

Hedgehogs give birth to a second litter of babies in autumn. That’s fine when the weather is warm and sunny and food is in abundance. However as we have seen this week, the weather can soon change and many moribund little hedgehogs are being admitted into our rescue.

Any hedgehog seen out in daylight could be sick, cold, hungry or a combination of all three. This rapidly declining species is nocturnal and to be seen out “sunbathing” is not normal behaviour. Baby hedgehogs leave their mum at around seven weeks of age. At this time of year they will struggle to gain sufficient weight to survive hibernation. They need our help.

Selby Wildlife Rescue has launched Operation Hedgehog and we are asking anyone who finds a small hedgehog to please get in touch.

Poorly hedgehogs do not have the luxury of time; they go downhill very rapidly, so your quick actions could be the difference between life and death. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society has a list of local carers, so please phone them or us on 07803 180720.

Our website details are selbywildlife.co.uk

Annette Pyrah, Selby Wildlife Rescue, York Road, Barlby, Selby.