Wildlife carers from Burnham-On-Sea have rescued a stranded hedgehog at the home of Somerset cricket ace Marcus Trescothick.
The cricketer had a surprise visitor in his garden this week when the tiny hedehog got stuck in his garden gates.
Secret World, based in East Huntspill, was called to the scene and response driver Tony Webster quickly established that cutting equipment would have to be used to free the tiny mammal which was stuck between two metal bars.
After seeking permission from Marcus to cut the bars to free the hedgehog, Secret World Trustee Roger Lucken used the equipment to free it.
The hedgehog was taken to Secret World’s base where it was determined that the female hedgehog was likely to have babies somewhere in amongst Mr Trescothick’s garden.
Secret World Charity founder Pauline Kidner told Burnham-on-Sea.com: “Staff were keen to get her back into the garden as soon as possible with instructions to the Trescothick family as to how and when to release her.”
“Hedgehogs are renowned for getting themselves into prickly situations like this and we are delighted that on this occasion the hedgehog was able to be returned back into Mr Trescothick’s garden. We welded his gate back together for him too.”
Marcus Trescothick, pictured above, added: “It was a bit different holding a prickly ball rather than a cricket ball but my wife and family were delighted with the fast response from Secret World.”
This incident highlights the problems hedgehogs face in the wild which is why this weekend Secret World will be opening its doors for their annual ‘Hedgehog and Tortoise Weekend’ on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July.
This is an opportunity for visitors to find out more about hedgehogs and how to help them in gardens throughout the year. Gates will be open from 10am-4pm each day. Admission is free, however donations to the charity would be gratefully appreciated including tinned kitten food to help feed the baby hedgehogs.
