We all really enjoyed our visit from Liz and hedgehog number 3276 (we named him Hedgly!) this morning. The children were able to see him up close, stroke him and ask lots of questions about the care and lifestyle of hedgehogs. We got lots of great information to help us write our non-ficiton reports about hedghogs. Upper School all got to have a close look and stroke of Hedgly too as LIz kindly took him up to their class before she left.
Mrs Kemp is going to sponsor a hedgehog at the sanctuary and we will get regular updates about our hedghog's progress as it is cared for before it is released back into the wild. We are also thinking of fundraising ideas so that we as a class could raise a little bit of money to give to the animal sanctuary to help them pay for all the food, equipment and vet care the animals they rescue need. If you would like to make a donation or sponsor an animal at the sanctuary find out how by clicking this link here and visiting their website.
A very important message we learnt today is 'A hedghog out in the day is NEVER okay!' if you find a hedghog out in the day, it will almost certainly have a problem. Follow these steps before taking the hedgehog to a hedgehog rescue centre or animal sanctuary like Woodlands ...
1. Pick up the hedghog. Slip your fingers under the hedgehog's tummy. Alternatively use gloves or place a towel over its spines.
2. Secure the hedghog. Place him in a deep sided cardboard or plastic box.
3. Get the hedgehog warm. Fill a bottle (old drinks bottle or water bottle) with warm-to-hot water and place it under a towel in the box to ensure the hedghog doesn't get burnt.
Also at this time of year as we approach November 5th please check under bonfires you have make, for hedghogs that have crawled under what they think is a cosy warm nest you have made them, before you light your bonfire. Get a brush handle and torch and carefully lift the wood and things you have piled up to burn and check for hedgehogs sleeping underneath.
A big thank you to all our Friends who kindly paid for the visit, we think it was a great way to spend a little of the money they work so hard to fundraise for our children, thank you.
Look through this slideshow of photos by clicking on the arrows to see us meeting Hedgly today ...