A baby hedgehog was found with one eye glued shut after she was covered in toxic glittery slime, believed to have come into contact with a discarded children's toy. The three-month-old animal, named Sparkle, was brought to Dottie's Little Hog Hospital after being discovered on the side of the road in Herne Bay, Kent.
Rescue and Recovery
Sparkle was barely able to move, with one eye glued shut by the sticky, gold-coloured substance. Charity founder Jo Hogbin said the outcome could have been worse. In a Facebook post that received more than 11,000 reactions, she explained the slime likely came from a child's toy that had been thrown away.
“We think the slime came from a child’s slime toy that had been discarded,” she said. “Poor Sparkle must have come into contact with it and ended up absolutely covered in the stuff. It was sticky, thick and setting fast, and it had worked its way all over her body, making it difficult for her to curl up properly. The substance was more than likely toxic.”
Warning to Public
Ms Hogbin added: “This was a serious hazard to wildlife when it is discarded outside. Sparkle was incredibly lucky that a kind member of the public spotted her lying in the road and brought her straight to us.” After multiple baths and a few days’ rest, Sparkle is now slime-free and looking much more comfortable. She will stay at Dottie’s until she reaches adult size, when she will be released into a hedgehog-friendly garden.
The incident is the latest case of a hedgehog almost dying due to littering. Earlier this year, a six-week-old hoglet was found with plastic embedded around its neck, and five hedgehogs were found covered in paint in the space of a month.
Appeal for Care
“Please, if you have children who use slime or similar products, make sure every last bit is disposed of properly and never left where wildlife can come into contact with it,” Ms Hogbin said. The charity, home to about 200 hedgehogs, is asking people to stay vigilant and show kindness towards the animals. Putting out water can be a useful way to help, especially given the recent weather, or giving out meaty cat or dog food.
