“Meet the Hedgehogs” documentary is due to be on Channel 5 on 4th May 8.00PM
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19 April 2017 by James Chapple
Hedgehog Awareness Week: Brian May backs Windlesham’s bid to become Surrey’s first ‘hedgehog-friendly’ village Queen legend Brian May is once again backing Britain’s hedgehogs ahead of Hedgehog Awareness Week (April 30 to May 6). The campaign is being spearheaded by Windlesham-based Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue (HAWR).
HAWR is inviting people to get involved by joining them for an open day at The Sun Inn on April 29 to get some vital tips to help keep their local hedgehogs safe.
Founder Anne Brummer said: “We have lots of tips and advice available that will help people make their garden, office or community green space more hedgehog friendly. Just drop into the pub. Our team will be there from 11am to 10pm and you will get to meet some of Windlesham’s more spiky residents”.
Hedgehog numbers are declining across the UK, according to HAWR, with numbers down from 35 million in the 1960s to less than one million today.
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“Our spiky friends are in trouble, and they need our help,” said Ms Brummer. “It is time to take action and that is exactly what Harper Asprey Wildlife Rescue is doing. We are about to make our home village of Windlesham the first hedgehog friendly village in Surrey.”
Last year, HAWR launched its Amazing Grace campaign, named after a rescue hedgehog brought in with a deep cut to her neck.
Grace survived and responded well to care but did not weigh enough to survive hibernation so spent a winter with HAWR before being released back into the wild. Grace starred in a series of videos highlighting the dangers and threats faced by hedgehogs in the modern world. During her stay, she won over long-term HAWR supporter Dr May, who said it was “shocking” hedgehogs could be at danger of extinction in the UK.
“We have destroyed most of the hogs’ habitat by over-development, and ruined what’s left with poisons and restrictions on their movement,” said Dr May. “We CAN unite and give these wonderful creatures a chance.”
‘Worrying decline’
Ms Brummer added: “We have seen a worrying decline in hedgehogs at our rescue over recent years. It is the impact of man. We are losing so much of our flora and fauna and we need to act now. We decided to raise awareness of the challenges that Grace and her fellow hedgehogs face and encourage everyone to get involved in making the necessary changes. There are simple changes that you can make to your garden to become hedgehog friendly.” She added: “The future of Britain’s hedgehogs is literally in our hands. If we all do even a little something, we can help hedgehogs survive.”
To get involved, simply drop into The Sun in Chertsey Road on Saturday April 29 between 11am and 10pm.
For more information about HAWR, visit the website or call 01344 623106.