Chartwell cares for hedgehogs

Four male hedgehogs have been rehabilitated and found a new home in the Chartwell Conservancy Estate.

The hedgehogs, three adults and a juvenile, were found at different times in the past six weeks on a property in Chartwell when residents became concerned about their well-being around the family dogs.

The animals were rehabilitated by Dr Taryn Bright from the Runnymead Vet Clinic before they could be released back into the wild. On 29 October, the happy and healthy hedgehogs were released onto the Szudrawski property within the Chartwell Conservancy Estate.

“Whenever we get a hedgehog in, we first use anaesthetic gas so that we can unroll them to check for injuries, body weight and that they are in fact an indigenous species,” explained Bright.

“We then fattened them up as two of them were exceptionally thin. When the rains had come and natural water sources were available, we released them.”

The animals, which are fairly common to the area but are an endangered species, needed to be released into an area where there was a water source and access to natural vegetation, and where they would be safe from dogs. Nigel and Gill Szudrawski, who live in the conservancy, were approached because other animals like porcupines, mongoose and hares had previously been released on their property.

“We have a fantastic wetland at the bottom of our property, with a beautiful dam,” explained Nigel.

“In the past, Taryn has released other animals here such as leguans, turtles and grey herons. And due to the fact that we have other hedgehogs here, she felt our property was an ideal fit for the release.”

The hedgehogs were released by Gill Szudrawski and Dr Bright near the dam on the day. At first, they were unsure and stayed curled up in balls (a hedgehog’s natural defence), but after a while they each uncurled and scurried off into the grass.

The Szudrawskis have not seen them since but will be keeping an eye out and hopefully, the males will find mates and breed.

“It feels great [to know they’re back in the wild]. It is quite incredible that we are for all intents and purposes in the middle of Johannesburg and we still have hedgehogs and porcupines running around. What a privilege to have this in our garden. Definitely worth protecting and ensuring that urban encroachment does not affect this area for a long time to come.”

South African hedgehogs are native to southern Africa but face threat from building development which destroys their natural habitat.

Bright concluded, “Our indigenous wildlife is under immense pressure from habitat loss. As a result, many species are dying out. And more and more animals are being injured and need care and rehab. The Joburg Wildlife Hospital does excellent work. They helped me with advice on care and how and where best to release them. Please support them.”