A Tale of Two Hedgehogs

This week brought another heartwarming moment in the gardens as Toby released two hedgehogs, Panda and Squirrel, into a peaceful corner of Heligan. The pair, both females and siblings, were rescued near Devron, close to Truro, and cared for by the dedicated team at  Prickles and Paws Hedgehog Rescue.

Underweight and too young to survive alone through the colder months, the sisters were brought into the centre together. They shared a pen, grew strong side by side, and seemed to take comfort in one another’s company. Having been raised and rehabilitated together, they’ll now return to the wild as a pair, beginning their new life amid Heligan’s ferns, moss, and fallen leaves.

Toby chose a quiet, sheltered spot for the release, surrounded by natural cover and an abundance of insects. When their cardboard box was gently opened, both hedgehogs paused, sniffing the air with bright curiosity before being carefully placed in their new hibernaculum den.

Over the next few weeks Panda and Squirrel will be settling into their new surroundings, hidden beneath bracken and leaves, finding food and shelter under the starlit canopy of the gardens. 

Every hedgehog released at Heligan is part of an ongoing effort to restore balance, rebuild habitats, and create corridors for wildlife to move safely across the landscape.