A hedgehog that was badly injured by a garden strimmer last year has been released back into the wild after spending seven months recovering at Secret World Wildlife Rescue in East Huntspill.
The hedgehog, named Hetty by charity staff, lost several spines as a result of the injury.
The charity made the hog the star of its spring fundraising appeal earlier this year.
Trudi Howell, Animal Care Volunteer at Secret World, pictured, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Hetty was an extremely lucky hedgehog.”
“Strimmer injuries are often very severe and most hedgehogs we see with resulting wounds rarely survive.”
“It’s been a real privilege to see Hetty recover. Hedgehogs have 5,000 to 7,000 spines, so for her to have lost as many as she did could have left her very vulnerable. Thankfully her cut spines moulted out naturally and new spines have now all grown to replace them.”
The hog was released back where it was found by charity response driver Cindy Taylor, who rescued it last year. Since its release, Hetty has since been spotted in the garden foraging around for beetles, looking fit and healthy.
