THOUSANDS of hedgehogs could be saved following an ingenious invention.
Founders of rescue organisation Hedgehog Friendly Town Kyra Barboutis and Sophie Smith were volunteering with litter picking group Rubbish Friends when they were told about hedgehogs falling into the children’s outdoor pool at Stratford Recreation Ground.
Park Ranger Jon Coote told the 13-year-olds many of the animals had fallen in the pool and drowned.
And between them they came up with a plan for a ramp, which Jon agreed to put in each night and remove every day. The ramp was built by the town’s Men’s Shed group.
Kyra Barboutis from Stratford High School and Sophie Smith from Stratford Girls Grammar say so far more than 30 hedgehogs have been saved, which could boost the hedgehog population by thousands as each one can go on to have 350 hoglets in ten years.
Kyra said: “This is such a massive success story.
“We have had no hedgehog casualties since the ramp was fitted.
“We are pleading with everyone with a pond or pool to fit a simple ramp and help boost the population of our much loved favourite wild animal.”
Search Hedgehog Friendly Town on Facebook to find out more about the rescue.
