One day a family was out in their yard when they all of a sudden noticed a little, blue object scurrying by. Concerned and perplexed, they called the RSPCA, who rushed out right once to look into it and discovered that it was a little hedgehog entirely covered in thick, blue paint.
Concerned for the poor animal’s health, animal collection officer Clara Scully secured the hedgehog and rushed her to the RSPCA’s West Hatch Wildlife Center, so she could get cleaned up as quickly as possible.
“Thankfully she was still alive and is now getting the help she needs,” Scully said in a press release. “We’re unsure what happened to her — whether she was painted intentionally, or if she fell into the paint somehow.”
The hedgehog was given the name Sonic by the shelter staff in honor of the well-known video game mascot because to her blue colour.
The process of removing the paint has been ongoing, but fortunately Sonic has been a good sport about it and appears to be doing well while under the care of the RSPCA.
Dr. Bel Deering, center manager of the RSPCA West Hatch Wildlife Center, stated in a news statement that Sonic has been eating well and is becoming stronger.
“The material had to be removed under anesthesia, and the spines still have a blue tint. The material was extremely rubbery and difficult to remove. Since it was extremely corrosive, there are some tender places where it contacted the skin that need to be watched carefully.
Sonic will be returned to the wild after she has fully recovered, but it could take some time for her to get there.
Hedgehogs are little, energetic animals that may easily sneak into items like paint cans or other gardening equipment. To avoid such incidents involving other wild animals, the RSPCA is urging people to be cautious while storing their outdoor equipment.
In a news statement, Llewelyn Lowen, the RSPCA’s scientific information officer, urged people to learn more about hedgehogs. “Simple measures like checking before you start weed-whacking or using your garden fork, remembering to store sports netting when it’s not in use, and keeping drains covered may really make a difference and help maintain the welfare of these famous creatures,” the author writes.
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