Heart-tearing hedgehog emergency: Krugpark fights against winter death!

Heart-tearing hedgehog emergency: Krugpark fights against winter death!

Brandenburg an der Havel. In the Nature Conservation Center Krugpark, many hedgehogs in need are currently being spiced up, which have been brought to care for a variety of reasons. Ines Römer, project manager of the facility, reports of a worrying increase: over 70 hedgehogs were brought to the station this year, and the season is far from over! A small, shy hedgehog is particularly difficult, because with its low weight it will never survive the winter without help.

The causes of the hedgehog emergency are complex. Cool nights below ten degrees make the food supply for earthworms and insects. The drastic decline in insect population in Brandenburg, by up to 67 percent in a decade, contributes to the hunger crisis of the hedgehog. The Situation is so threatening that the animals often come into the ward lean and injured - a fatal combination in the face of their hibernation. A minimum weight of 500 to 600 grams, which the hedgehogs have to reach until winter, is vital, otherwise he threatens death in hibernation.

The dark sides of the winter

At the same time, the risk is exacerbated by external dangers such as robotic lawnmeates, tough mastermind fences and road traffic. Many hedgehogs that end up in the zoo station are not only too small, but also injured. The animals lose over the winter up to half of their body weight and weak individuals could not survive the winter if they are not opened in time.

The zookeepers: Inside, tireless work on turning the agonizing fates of the small spiked fans. As soon as they are strong enough again, it goes back to freedom - but only if they have reached the necessary weight. The central message remains: If you want to help these wonderful creatures, you should also offer insects a loving home! Because their survival is closely related. To protect our hedgehogs, we also have to fight for the insects!