Can you help me? Hapless hedgehog rescued after getting its head caught in a tin

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 12:43 EST, 24 May 2012 | Updated: 01:46 EST, 25 May 2012

This hapless hedgehog found itself in a prickly situation after getting its snout stuck in a tin of carrots.

The spikey mammal was found at the roadside in King's Lynn, Norfolk, by a concerned couple on May 13, who thought he was dead until he trotted away with its head still stuck in the tin.

Unable to safely remove the hedgehog themselves, the quick-thinking couple cut off the other end so the creature could breathe.

The hedgehog was found with his head stuck in a tin of carrots which has been nursed back to health

The hedgehog was found with his head stuck in a tin of carrots which has been nursed back to health

RSPCA officers then told the rescuers to take the hedgehog to their East Winch Wildlife Centre, in Norfolk, where staff delicately freed the trapped animal.

Amazingly, the hedgehog escaped with just minor injuries including a wound to his left axilla, a grazed foot from scratching at the tin and a slight swelling under his chin.

Vets have now put him on a course of antibiotics, while he is kept at the centre to be monitored.

Alison Charles, centre manager, said: 'The hedgehog is doing very well despite his ordeal and is eating and drinking well and resting up in his box.

The hedgehog was found at the roadside in King's Lynn, Norfolk, by a concerned couple on May 13

The hedgehog was found at the roadside in King's Lynn, Norfolk, by a concerned couple on May 13

'This again highlights the dangers that litter can pose to wildlife, and incidents like this can easily be prevented if people just picked up their rubbish rather than throwing it away and remember to squeeze cans together before throwing them away.

'Had this hedgehog not been found he would have died a slow and painful death.

'But thankfully this has a happy ending. I am not sure why he chose a can of carrots to investigate, it is not the normal thing you would find on a hedgehog's choice of lunch menu.

'Perhaps he wanted to see better in the dark.'


 

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