I am writing to express my thoughts and feelings towards the safety of wildlife in Harrow/Pinner; in particular the beloved hedgehog.

The poor, helpless animals are on the verge of extinction. By 2029 all hedgehogs will be gone; there will be none to be seen.

Future generations will not know what hedgehogs are really like – just like us and the dodo.

During the past three years, my family and I have been lucky enough to see such amazing creatures in our own back garden.

Most people have never even caught a glimpse of one.

Together, as a community, we can save hedgehogs and keep them safe.

What I am asking you to do is please put up a big, eye-catching advert on your Twitter and Facebook pages to inform the public about what to do if you see one in daylight or at night.

Here is the information needed for the advert: 

  • They eat plain digestive biscuits, dog and cat food and hedgehog food.
     
  • As they are lactose intolerant, do not give them any dairy products, especially milk, as it will cause illness – give them only water.
     
  • If you see one out in daylight, pick it up wearing gardening gloves and place it in a shady spot.
     
  • If it doesn’t look 100 per cent right use gardening gloves to pick it up, take it indoors and put it in a high-sided cardboard box with an old towel or fleece in the bottom for the hedgehog to hide under. Keep the box warm by using a hot water bottle under the box, or by putting the box near a radiator. Put the box somewhere quiet. Feed it to build up its strength.
     
  • ​Remember, hedgehogs hibernate in the winter to spring (November to mid-March). If you see one out during these months, do as shown above and call the RSPCA.

Amelia Karina Elder (11)

Address supplied