Watch: Heartwarming Moment Four Hedgehogs Are Released Back Into The Wild After Rehabilitation
Four young hedgehogs that were found in need of attention back in May have successfully been released back into the wild following months of rehabilitation.
Back in May, the Wildlife Rescue Team Malta received a call from a family who stumbled upon four crying baby hedgehogs, otherwise known as hoglets, whilst on a picnic in Rabat.
After providing warmth, volunteers remained on site to check whether their mother returns. A few hours later it started to rain, putting the exposed hoglets at risk, so they had to be taken into rehab.
This rehabilitation process entailed diligently feeding them every three hours until they grew old enough to start eating solid foods independently.
Until they were weaned onto natural solid foods the hoglets were fed kitten milk, as recommended by their vets.
With the Wildlife Rescue Team collaborating with Lottoland, a campaign was later launched to name the four orphaned hoglets, which were named Hattie, Harley, Heidi and Howie.
As the four rescued hoglets got steadier on their feet, they were introduced to a larger enclosure to stretch their little legs. Their hot water bottle was removed and replaced with a little cave with soft hay for them to cuddle in.
At five weeks old the hedgehogs were moved to an outdoor enclosure, to start getting acclimatized to the elements.
The process of weaning them onto solid and natural foods started around about this time, with insects coming in as a strong favourite.
As the hedgehogs continued developing under the watchful eyes of the Wildlife Rescue team they became curious explorers of their surroundings.
However human interaction was kept to a minimum as hedgehogs by nature tend to be shy creatures.
In June the hedgehogs started a new journey. They were happily released in a safe field full of fruit trees, vegetables, bugs and snails.
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