School children rescue hedgehog stuck in playground fence
Hedgehog stuck in the fence at North Wootton primary school. - Credit: Archant
Pupils at North Wootton Primary School in King's Lynn found the prickly creature, whose body was completely jammed in the wire gaps of their play area.
RSPCA staff said the children definitely saved the female hedgehog's life after finding it last Wednesday.
Pupils guarded the animal until she was taken to the RSPCA's East Winch Wildlife Centre near King's Lynn.
She was found dehydrated and had swollen legs - but is expected to be nursed back to a full bill of health and hopefully later released into the wild.
The centre's manager, Alison Charles, who went to the school to rescue the hedgehog, said: 'It was a pretty tight squeeze for this little lady.
'Her body was completely stuck, with her head and little forelegs just hanging over the other side of the fence in mid air - and back end on the other side. She must have been pretty uncomfortable.
She added: ''The legs were very swollen, and we think she must have been there for some time - at least since the night before. There is no way she would have been able to get out of this hole by herself, so by finding her and calling us the children definitely saved her life.
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'They were amazing and even waited with her, guarding her, until I could get there. It is lovely to see young people caring so much for the wildlife around them.'
Debbie Woods, School Business Manager for the primary school, said:'We were very appreciative of the prompt support given by the RSPCA and delighted that the hedgehog was freed and is receiving the care and attention needed to nurse her back to full health.
'Our children showed huge compassion and were very relieved when the hedgehog was released.'
• To donate £3 to the RSPCA text HELP to 78866 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).
