Huelva, (EFE) hedgehogs that survive burned areas for healing and recovery.
One of them, as reported by the group in a statement, is “Willow”. Which already in last year’s fire campaign managed to rescue more than 20 land urchins. Thanks to his specialization in following the trail of these small mammals, which are a protected species.
After a forest fire, some hedgehogs survive thanks to their ability to bury themselves or hide in holes and small cracks in the ground.
But those who are saved from the fire later find themselves in a scene of hot ash. Where the prey that constitutes its food, worms, crickets and other insects, have disappeared.
They also hydrate thanks to the bodily fluids of their prey, and when these prey become charred, many end up condemned to die of malnutrition and dehydration.
Burns of all kinds
In addition, quite a few have burns of all kinds, and this is where the workday of the “Mujeres por Doñana” team begins.
These volunteers travel to the burned area with their tracking dogs. And, once there, they locate the hedgehogs to pick them up and take them immediately to the “Wendy Clements” Animal Sanctuary in Doñana.
There, and for months, they are cared for and cured in order to be able to release them again when the health conditions of these nocturnal mammals improve.
This year the dog “Luna” and her partner “Gordi” have joined as “apprentices”.
Huelva has the only ‘hedgehog-saving’ dog unit in Spain, which is a great satisfaction for the creators of this initiative, which is already being monitored by information agencies in other countries. EFE