When Katie Walton, founder of Katie’s Wildlife Rescue, received a call about a nest of wild babies in trouble, she rushed out immediately — not knowing she was about to meet one of the largest hedgehog families she’d ever seen.
Inside the nest were a mother hedgehog and her five tiny babies. For Walton, the number was astonishing — hedgehog litters usually have only one to three little ones.
“I was shocked when I heard,” Walton said. “It’s so rare to see that many.”
The family had been disturbed by a nearby cat, and the concerned homeowners carefully moved them out of harm’s way. When Walton arrived, she gently placed the spiky group into a bucket for transport. At first glance, the jumble of twigs and curled-up hedgehogs looked almost like a pile of garden debris.
Once at the rescue center, the hedgehogs received a health check and plenty of nourishing meals. Before long, they were thriving in a large outdoor run, where they continued to grow stronger every day.
Just over a month later, the moment Walton had been waiting for arrived — the hedgehog family was ready to return to the wild.
Watching the little ones toddle off into the grass, Walton couldn’t help but feel grateful.
“It felt amazing for them to finally go back to the wild, where they belong,” she said. “It was a privilege to care for them and give them that chance.”
To support rescues like this, you can make a donation to Katie’s Wildlife Rescue.
