Below is a brief resume of the subjects covered at the one day seminar which I attended on Saturday 29th April in Birmingham.
Subject: Hedgehogs: Rescue, Rehabilitation and Release
Dr Pat Morris : The History of the Uist hedgehog controversy
Hedgehogs were introduced to the Uists in the Hebrides 30 years ago. Evidence has been put forward to suggest that they now number about 5,000 individuals and pose a significant threat to important populations of nesting waders. This talk will outline the problem and controversy that has arisen. It will describe the background to the present situation where killing or translocating the animals is underway and examine the serious scientific deficiencies in the current operation to eradicate the hedgehog population.
Kay Bullen: The practicalities of Uist Hedgehog Rescue
Kay was on the islands in 2003, 2004 and 2005 helping with the rescue. She talks about the logistics and the capture, care and transportation of the rescued hedgehogs.
Andy Christie MBE: Uist Hedgehog Release
Andy describes the logistics of transport, care and release of a large influx of Uist hedgehogs every week.
Hugh Warwick: Uist Hedgehog Study
What happens to Uist hedgehogs when they are released? Hugh spent a month last year radio-tracking 20 of the rescued animals around a country park in North Ayrshire and presents his results
Dr Pat Morris: Decline of the Hedgehog in Britain
For many years people have suggested that hedgehog numbers may be declining. Unfortunately, since there is no reliable way of counting wild hedgehogs nationally, it has not been possible to substantiate these ideas. However, there are significant indications from opinion surveys and gamekeepers that numbers have fallen. Counting numbers killed on roads may offer another way of examining this issue, and surveys (supported by BHPS) in the 1990's can now be compared with more recent results and show that a majot decline has occured. But is counting dead hedgehogs reliable or just a crude way of measuring traffic density? And, if hedgehogs have declined, why should this be and what might be done about it?
Dr Nigel Reeve: Hedgehogs, Post Release
Casualty records and post release survival of hedgehogs from Jersey, 1995 - 2003.
Authors: Nigel Reeve and Dru Burdon
Gay Christie MBE: Hand rearing hoglets and Autumn Juveniles
Gay describes how a busy Wildlife rescue centre copes with orphan hoglets and over wintering juveniles.
Chris Woodruff MRCVS (Our wildlife Vet!!) Treatment of common injuries
Chris follows some case histories of common conditions seen at the practice and talks about any ethical dilemmas resulting.
Kay Bullen: Hedgehog Parasites.
Identification, life cycles and treatments of the more common external parasites of the hedgehog (from ticks to mites including ringworm)
Hopefully this was an insight to the latest studies and news from the hedgehog world!!
Sadly, I don't have the time to go into detail about the different discussions, However I would state that Hedgehogs are being well and truly looked after!!!
Gaye and Andy Christie had to leave the seminar early as they were receiving another 'shipment' of hedgehogs from Uist at 10.30 the same evening!!!
Check out the BHPS website for more information on Hedghogs at
http://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk
Jo
Linear Mode
