‘Extremely Obese’ 2.2Kg Hedgehog Rescued In Malta – And Gets Called Garfield
An injured and extremely obese hedgehog with bleeding hind legs was recently rescued by the Wildlife Rescue Team in Malta, another reminder of why hedgehogs need to be left in the wild.
Volunteers ended up naming the hedgehog Garfield, after she was found to weigh a whopping 2.2kg, more than double the weight of a normal hedgehog.
“This is definitely not a healthy weight for a hedgehog. Adult hedgehogs from the species found in Malta, the North African hedgehog, are usually 800g-1kg max!” the rescue team said on social media.
“This hedgehog is extremely obese and it is clear it was kept illegally as a pet and given way too much food with no exercise.”
“Garfield, as we named her, has a very difficult rehab ahead of her. Her hind legs are not strong enough to support her current weight and are inflamed and infected due to the dragging they have had to endure,” the team explained.
After being seen by the team’s vets, Garfield will now be following a course of medications, together with hydrophysiotheraphy to strengthen her leg muscles, a calorie-restricted diet, and exercise.
“It’s going to be a tough rehab, and we’re still not sure about the outcome as we first need to see how the infection responds to the antibiotics,” it said.
The team strongly reminded the general public that it is completely illegal to own a hedgehog in Malta, or any of the island’s wild animals, as per this legal notice.
“We do understand that people love hedgehogs and see them as cute, but this case would fall under animal cruelty. Please respect our wildlife in their natural environment. They are not meant to be kept as pets,” it appealed.
The rescue team also thanked the public who call them when they notice an animal in distress, their vets, and their dedicated rescue and rehabilitation volunteers.
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