Plea for islanders to help hedgehogs in dry weather

People in Jersey are being asked to consider looking after hedgehogs, which may be struggling in the warm weather.

The Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group says the animals often find it difficult to get food and water in the dry summer months.

The group is concerned about numbers declining on the island, as it has had fewer hedgehogs brought to its care centre in St Lawrence this year.

Dru Burdon, from the Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group, wants islanders to put shallow bowls of water and cat food out in their gardens, as the ground may be too hard for them to access their usual food sources.

"If people could put bowls of water out on the ground in their gardens, that would be wonderful," Ms Burdon said.

"Just a shallow bowl or even a dustbin lid, anything like that."

"Nothing too deep because obviously little hedgehogs can't get to it, but it's so hot and dry at the minute."

She also hopes people may put out food as well as water, especially if they know hedgehogs visit the area.

"If they can put cat or dog food out, that would be great as well.

"Because when the ground is hard, hedgehogs find it really difficult to dig for their natural food.