Wildlives Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation, based in Thorrington, has been looking after a plethora of hedgehogs suffering in the hot weather.
Founder Rosie Catford is urging people to be kind to wildlife and to leave out water for them to drink.
Food – the hoglets resting up at the rescue centre (Image: Wildlives Rescue and Rehabilitation)
She said: “The heatwave we’re experiencing is having a devastating effect on our wildlife.
“Please leave fresh water out to help.
“Wildlives’ animals are fortunate in this heat due to the centre’s rewilding.
“Our hospital and various wards are situated beneath mature oak trees, and all of our rehabilitation enclosures are shaded too.
“It’s just their carers who suffer in this dreadful heat.
“But it’s all worth it when we release our patients fit and healthy back where they belong – and the wonderful messages of support continue to inspire us.”
Three orphaned hoglets were found collapsed in a garden and taken straight to Wildlives.
Triplets – the orphaned hoglets at Wildlives (Image: Wildlives Rescue and Rehabilitation)
Rosie said: “The little hoglets were suffering from sunstroke and severe dehydration.
“Jo collected them, and they are responding really well to their emergency treatment thanks to her prompt action.
“We are also admitting female hedgehogs that have recently finished lactating and are in a very poor state – emaciated, severely dehydrated, and exhausted.
“It seems they have put all their energy into rearing their hoglets, leaving themselves depleted.
“Any hedgehog seen out in daylight needs picking up straight away and placed in a box on a towel before you ring Wildlives.”
For more information, or to donate to Wildlives Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre, please visit www.wildlives.org.uk.
Donations go towards veterinary bills, food, bedding and other items used to save Essex wildlife.
The centre can be contacted on 07802 767016.