Romance is causing a problem for prickly characters at a Derbyshire animal sanctuary.
St Bernard’s in Old Whittington has had more baby hedgehogs than usual brought in this year.
Team leader Daphne Shepherd said little ‘hoglets’ had been brought in to the sanctuary nearly every day.
She thinks milder weather has led to hedgehogs having second litters this year, causing a rise in numbers of youngsters.
She added: “They are undersized and much too young to safely hibernate.
“If they don’t have sufficient weight to last the winter, they’ll just go to sleep and not make it through to spring.”
Hedgehog numbers have declined by 25 per cent over the last ten years so St Bernard’s, on Broomhill Road, is trying to save every one they can.
They need donations of food and help with the heating costs.
To contact the sanctuary call 01246 455777 or go to www.petsamaritans.co.uk.
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