A Resilient Resident: Houdini's Journey to a Safe Haven
In a quiet garden in Hove, East Sussex, a remarkable nightly ritual unfolds. A three-legged hedgehog, known to his human guardian as Houdini, trundles about collecting leaves to pad his nest. This is no ordinary wild creature; he is a survivor under careful watch, spending what may be his eighth winter in a unique sanctuary created just for him.
His story began three years ago when he first appeared on a trail camera belonging to local wildlife enthusiast Kate Bradbury. The footage revealed a shocking injury: bone was exposed where part of his leg should have been. Determined to help, Kate attempted to capture him for treatment, but the hedgehog, true to the escapologist he would be named after, evaded her twice before finally being secured.
A Life of Scrapes and Close Calls
Veterinarians at the Hurst Hedgehog Haven in Burgess Hill were surprised he had survived such a severe wound. After treatment, which included the amputation of the rest of the damaged leg, Houdini was released back near Kate's home. However, his adventures were far from over.
Over the years, he has faced a series of health issues, from ear infections to parasites. His age—indicated by a loss of pigment and a notably bright pink nose suggesting he is well over five, the average lifespan for a wild hedgehog—and his disability sometimes cause him to sit still, staring into space. This behaviour makes him vulnerable.
"He was free for just two hours before someone found him and took him to the vet," Kate explains, recounting how concerned passersby frequently pick him up, mistaking his stillness for distress. Last week, she had to collect him from the rescue centre after he was found sleeping beneath a car.
The Garden as a Halfway House
With natural food scarce in winter and the constant threat of roads, the decision was made to create a safe enclosure. Kate's garden has become a halfway house, a protected space between the rescue centre and the full dangers of the wild. Here, Houdini is safe, well-fed, and sleeping in a dry bed of straw.
The plan for the future is still evolving. Kate and her neighbours hope to create a larger, enclosed area for him to roam until at least March, giving him the illusion of wildness with none of the peril. Come spring, they also aim to make space for other hedgehogs in need.
For now, this unique arrangement ensures the survival of a much-loved local character. "He’s such a worry. I love him," says Kate, capturing the heartfelt commitment of a community to one resilient animal. His story is a poignant reminder of the challenges facing British wildlife and the difference compassionate intervention can make.
