Nature Trust (Malta) wildlife rescue team volunteers attended another training session, which this time was on hedgehog rescue and rehabilitation. The training was conducted by NTM volunteer Vet Dr Luke Sultana of Animal Doctors who is a local expert on hedgehogs.
The volunteers were trained on hedgehog rescue, first aid and what and what not to do while carrying out a hedgehog rescue and hedgehog rehabilitation.
Every year many hedgehogs end up injured or killed by car accidents, domestic animal bites, grass cutters and other machinery or natural wounds. Many hoglets also end up orphaned after their mother is killed by car accidents and these are also brought in for care and eventual release.
The NGO today has a wildlife rescue team trained to deal with various wildlife rescues of marine turtles, dolphins, hedgehogs and bats. All trained volunteers are covered by the relevant MEPA permits to handle protected species. All volunteers have to undergo mandatory training sessions and are also informed on how to take data on the field for record purposes. The Wildlife Rescue Team is active 24 hour 7 day a week.
Nature Trust (Malta) is now collecting funds to set up the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre at Xrobb L-Ghagin Nature Park where the existing building structures will be used to cater for turtles, bats, hedgehogs and other local wildlife.
The project is estimated will cost in the region of €750,000. The NGO hopes to apply for EU funding but still needs to find the 50% co finance needed to get the project moving.
People encountering local injured wildlife can either contact NTM on 21313150 or mobiles 9942 2085 and 9942 2086 or call MEPA.
People can also help NTM with raising funds by adopting a turtle through its Airmalta adopt-a-turtle campaign for more info visit the NTM website, www.naturetrustmalta.org [1].
Hedgehog photo: NTM – Arnold Sciberras.