Hedgehog rescued from 7ft deep pipe at Dorset army camp
The RSPCA and army cadets helped free the female hedgehog
Last updated 7 hours ago
A hedgehog has been rescued after falling into a 7ft deep pipe at an army camp in Dorset.
The animal was spotted trapped by a member of the public, prompting a call to the RSPCA on Tuesday 21 April.
RSPC Animal Rescue Officer Jo Blackburn attended the scene at Blandford Camp in Blandford Forum and used a grasper pole to carefully pull the large female hedgehog free.
Jo said: “I was taken onto the Camp and to a deep, narrow pipe that went down into the ground.
"Using my torch I could just make out the hedgehog trapped at the bottom of the shaft with absolutely no way of getting out
“She was a large female so she was stuck fast and had curled into a tight ball; she must have been terrified.
“Using one of my long grasper poles I was able to get the loop around her body and carefully pull her free.”
The hedgehog was checked over by Jo and, thankfully, she didn’t appear to be injured or dehydrated.
Jo added: “She was a big, healthy female in good condition so I don’t think she’d been stuck for too long, thankfully.
"She was large so she may well have been pregnant, and she was in a very perilous spot and would have perished if she’d not been found."
Army officers nearby assisted by preparing a cardboard box with food and water before planning to release her on the campground at dusk.
Jo said: “By working together we can create a world that’s kinder for all animals.
"We’d like to thank everyone who helped this hedgehog get the help she needed as quickly as possible.
“It’s the responsibility of us all to show kindness and compassion to all animals; everyone for every kind.
“If you find a sick or injured animal, or an animal who is trapped or has been abandoned, it’s important to get them the help they need as quickly as possible, so we have lots of advice on our website to help the public help animals themselves.”