The rescue centre has been caring for over 100 hoglets this season.

The National Wildlife Rescue Centre has released its first eight hoglets of the year.

The small mammal team had spent the season caring for over 100 baby hedgehogs, with the hopes of rehabilitating them.

Eight of these hoglets have now been released, having been successfully rehabilitated at the centre.

Before they could be released into the wild, the hoglets needed to spend time outside in the centre’s aviary, where they learned how to forage for food, where to go for safety and how to display natural behaviours.

The small mammal team encouraged their learning by lining the ground with bark to attract insects and make it easier for the hoglets to forage.

The hoglets were given dog beds filled with hay, moss and leaves to acclimate them with making nests once they were released. They were also provided with tunnels and small bridges, which encouraged them to use their muscles and practise climbing.

As well as preparing the hedgehogs for the natural world, this enrichment ensured that they did not get bored while outside.

The National Wildlife Centre is based in Scotland and is run by the Scottish SPCA. They work to rescue and rehabilitate wildlife, such as birds, seals and hedgehogs.

As well as helping wild animals that have been injured, the team also hand-rears animal orphans who may not otherwise survive in the wild after being separated from their parents.

National Wildlife Rescue Centre assistant manager Nicole Molloy said: “All of our hoglets are released to a support fed site, where they are helped with food for their first weeks back in to the wild. This gives them a helping hand while they find natural food sources and scope out the new area.

“We are always on the lookout for more support fed release sites as we will have the second litters arriving later on in the season.”

Image: (C) Shutterstock