A baby hedgehog has been released back into the wild after he was saved from callous teenage thugs who cruelly killed others from the same litter.
A member of the public stepped-in to save the tiny animal after noticing a group of teenagers attempt to put the litter of five onto a bonfire in Wishaw on October 2 last year.
Since then, the Scottish SPCA have been hand-rearing the hedgehog - who they named Jack - at the charity’s National Wildlife Rescue Centre.
A group of teenagers were seen attempting to put the litter of five onto a bonfire. Sickeningly they had stamped two of the baby hedgehogs to death before the person intervened.
Although three hoglets were handed over to the SSPCA, Jack is the only survivor to be released back into the wild.
One of the animals died on the way to the specialist wildlife hospital care facility and another died shortly after.
The team at the centre supported Jack, feeding and housing him, until he found his feet and was strong enough to release.
April Dodds from the centre told Lanarkshire Live : “This was understandably a very distressing incident for both the hoglets involved and the member of the public who witnessed it.
“We are so grateful to the passer-by for intervening and managing to save three of the hedgehogs. Sadly, two others were stamped to death by the teenagers.
“The three hedgehogs who the member of the public managed to save were taken to our specialist wildlife facility. Sadly, one of the hoglets died during the journey but Jack and the other hog named Sally made it to the centre.
“Unfortunately Sally had intestinal problems and she passed away shortly afterwards.
“However, Jack managed to recover from his ordeal and was successfully hand-reared by wildlife assistant Nicole.
“He continued to thrive in her care and after several weeks was ready to be released.
“It’s always upsetting when an animal comes in to our care due to deliberate harm caused by humans, but there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing that animal recover and return to the wild where they belong against all odds.”
Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of both SSPCA inspectors and Police Scotland, the youngsters involved have not been identified.
Gilly Mendes Ferreira, head of education, policy and research for the SSPCA, told us : “We know from the work our Animal Guardians programme does with young people at risk of harming, or who have harmed, an animal that children can mistreat animals for a variety of reasons.
“Often this has more to do with not knowing what they are doing is hurtful, or having trouble regulating their emotions and behaviour, rather than from an intent to cause harm.
“Many people don’t always recognise that when a young person shows behaviour towards an animal that is a cause of concern it can also act as an early indicator that something else may be wrong in that young person’s life and specialist support may be required.
“We hope that the young people involved in this incident speak to an appropriate adult who can give them the support they need and we would encourage any adult who is aware to refer them to our Animal Guardians programme if required for further support.”
If anyone finds an animal in distress they should call the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
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