Berlin's Overwhelmed Hedgehog Sanctuary Seeks Support

The Berlin Hedgehog Rescue Center is struggling with overcrowding as hedgehogs face threats from habitat loss, insect decline, and insufficiently wild gardens. Many hedgehogs brought to the center are sick, injured, or underweight, putting their winter survival at risk.

The sanctuary is urging garden owners to leave leaf and brush piles as shelters and to restrict the use of lawnmowers to daytime under supervision. The center also faces financial difficulties, and donations of food and medicine are urgently needed.

Volunteers are in short supply, further contributing to the strain. The hedgehog has been named the Animal of the Year 2024 to raise awareness of its precarious situation.

Authorities are considering creating more hedgehog-friendly spaces in parks and expanding the center to accommodate more animals. The public is encouraged to participate actively in hedgehog conservation efforts to ensure their survival through the challenging winter months.