Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/hedgehog-holiday-park/

image - Resort Creates ‘Hedgehog Holiday Park’ To Protect Endangered Hedgehogs Over Winter

We’ve all seen photos or videos of adorable hedgehogs on social media. They are adorable little pets, but many people may not be aware that they’re also an officially endangered animal. In fact, this year has been the first year that they’ve been listed on the endangered species list, with the hedgehog population of Britain having decreased from 30 million in 1950 to 500,000 as of 2018.

But now there is a campaign to save them by creating their own vacation resort: Parkdean Resorts. The booking provider has launched a nationwide campaign to help protect hedgehogs living in the land surrounding their caravan parks, and they’re doing this by creating their very own little attraction for the cute critters to use during their hibernation months.

Katy South, co-founder of Prickles and Paws, a rescue and rehabilitation center for hedgehogs, has stated that it’s a major wake up call for those who care about UK wildlife that the hedgehog has been placed on the endangered wildlife list, therefore the center wanted to do something attention-grabbing in hopes that others will want to do their bit in helping to save the hedgehog, according to PEOPLE. And as South pointed out, there is nothing more noteworthy than a mini holiday resort for hedgehogs.

It was designed specifically with the little animals in mind since during the months of November through April, the hedgehogs will go into hibernation. They usually seek to hibernate in bushes or woodlands, but this brings with it a certain element of danger as they run the risk of getting attacked by wild animals or dogs, getting exposed to the elements, or just other potential dangers. It’s the time of year that they’re most vulnerable, which is why the center wanted to do something about it.

The idea began as a local initiative at the White Cross Bay Holiday Park in the Lake District. But now, these habitats are being rolled out across the UK at all Parkdean Resorts. And they’re pretty adorable too, as the miniature holiday resorts have everything that a hedgehog would need to hibernate in peace: hotel lodging, walkways, and little outdoor areas. Prickles and Paws worked very closely with the resort provider in order to make sure that it all got set up with the hedgehog’s best interests.

The Parkdean Resorts are also pushing others to try making their own DIY hedgehog habitats for their own homes. These DIY ideas include ways of creating safe “hedgehog highways” in order for the hedgehogs to be able to access their hibernation areas, as well as making them little hibernation boxes in which they can sleep.

If you live in an area with hedgehogs and this seems like something that you might like to take part in, all the information about creating hedgehog habitats as well as step-by-step instructions are listed on the Parkdean Resorts website.

[embedded content]
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog