RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre wants you to help its hogs.

Thursday, 18 March 2010 12:00 AM

With the weather beginning to warm up, just under 100 hedgehogs are set to be released by RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre, and you may be able to help see them on their way.

Due to the prolonged winter spell, 98 of them stayed in the cosy conditions, most of them arrived in late autumn when they were too small to hibernate, but East Winch is well prepared for the annual influx and very quickly becomes a 'hog hotel' during cold snaps when the ground is frozen overnight.

Centre manager Alison Charles said "We've just released 35 of them, and we hope to release the remaining 63 over the next few days. We tag every single hog with an individual number so that we can track their movements, so it's worth keeping an eye out for them as we send them on their way."

Hogs are tagged with tiny plastic electrical cable markers glued to five or six individual spines so that they don't cause any discomfort when they roll up.

If you spot a tagged hedgehog and you're able to note down the tag number, let East Winch know, as information about the hogs after their release is always valuable and helps paint a picture of their survival and movements. You can e-mail the details to eastwinch@rspca.org.uk with any sightings.

Alison added "It's always brilliant to hear that the hogs all our staff have cared for over many months continue to do well back in the wild".

East Winch's wildlife work would not be possible without the generous donations that RSPCA supporters continue to make. If you would like to add your support to the Centre and make a donation send them to RSPCA East Winch Wildlife Centre, Station Road, East Winch, Norfolk, PE321NR or contact the centre if you would like to sponsor a hedgehog.

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RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk
Website: www.rspca.org.uk

Visit http://www.rspca-petinsurance.co.uk or call 0800 032 5952 to get a competitive quote on your pet insurance. 20% of your premium goes directly back to the RSPCA and helps support animals in need.

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