A hedgehog left almost completely bald after losing his spikes is being nursed back to health at a Devon rescue charity, where his unusual appearance has drawn more than 13 million online views.
Ollie was taken into the care of Prickles in a Pickle, where rescuers found him bleeding whenever he opened his mouth. Vets discovered he had ringworm and a bacterial infection, which had caused most of his prickles to fall out. He has since been slowly recovering at the charity in Stoke Fleming, Devon, but is still not well enough to return to the wild.
Painful Recovery
Judy Thomson, 66, co-founder of Prickles in a Pickle, described Ollie's condition on arrival. "The crust around his face was so severe that he couldn't open his mouth to eat properly. Every time he opened his mouth, he bled. So it was very painful for him."
She added: "He's looking a lot better now. His skin is better and not as crusty. He's eating independently, maintaining his weight. Obviously, it's not ideal to have a wild animal in captivity for a long period of time. But as long as they're improving, that's okay."
Global Attention
While staff have been helping Ollie recover, his unusual appearance has caught the attention of more than 13 million people online. Some compared the poorly hedgehog to an avocado, while others thought he resembled a rolled-up sock. Judy said: "He's been likened to all sorts of objects, looking like he does. Like a rolled up sock or a very large potato. I posted a video for our volunteers, our followers, and the public to see what a prickle-less hedgehog looked like."
She added: "Of course, it's not something that you would see every single day. I mean, a hedgehog's not something that you see every single day, sadly. They look so different that somebody might not even know what it is."
Fundraising Boost
The attention has also given the charity a much-needed fundraising boost, with Ollie becoming its "poster hog". Posts that reached an "absolutely global" audience have helped bring in nearly £5,000. Judy runs the rescue from her home with her partner and fellow co-founder Alan Pook, 68, keeping it going costs between £65,000 and £70,000 a year.
Seven years ago, the charity cared for around 40 hedgehogs annually. It now takes in more than 1,000 a year, with as many as 200 being looked after at once. For the charity, Ollie's story has offered a chance to show people the challenges facing the animals and the support charities need.
Judy said: "It's been absolutely phenomenal, and a fast learning curve. This gets people talking about hedgehogs and thinking about the wider picture. If you find a prickle-less hedgehog, it really does need help because it can't protect itself."
She added: "British wildlife is just as important as any other wildlife in the world. It's our own little ecosystem and we need to start looking after it. Hedgehogs do not get seen out in the day unless they're poorly. There's only one exception, really, and that's a mum that's just about building her nest. Out in the day is not OK. If you're worried about anything, phone your local rescue. Support your local rescues."
