Rare albino hedgehog rescued after being orphaned in north Wales gardening accident

This rare albino hedgehog has been taken in by caring nurses after his mother was tragically killed in a garden strimmer accident. Bean, a male albino hoglet, is thought to be seven to eight weeks old. He was discovered in Clocaenog, Wales.
This rare albino hoglet was rescued after being orphaned in a garden accident.

A rare albino hedgehog has been rescued from a village in north Wales after his mother was killed in a gardening accident.

The male hoglet, who has been named Bean, was discovered in the village of Clocaenog, Denbighshire. He is thought to be just seven or eight weeks old.

Albino hedgehogs are extremely rare, with only one in 100,000 born with the recessive gene that causes them to have no melanin pigment in their skin, eyes or spikes.

Their unique colour has previously led people to believe they glow in the dark.

Bean is thought to be just seven or eight weeks old.

Bean is now being cared for by hedgehog rescue charity Hedgehog Help Prestatyn until he is ready to be released back into the wild.

Tracy Pierce set up the centre after retiring from her job as a nurse, taking in injured and distressed hedgehogs alongside other volunteers from her back garden.

The 55-year-old said her nursing experience and growing up on a farm equipped her with the knowledge to care for the animals.

"It was very difficult at first because they are wild animals and extremely poorly by the time they're found, so I registered with the British Hedgehog Society and attended a one-day course in caring for them," she said.

Tracy Pierce set up Hedgehog Help Prestatyn after retiring as a nurse.

The number of hedgehogs in the UK has declined by around thirty per cent in just over ten years, mainly due to insect and habitat loss.

Tracy said she has seen an increased number of the spiny mammals during the UK-wide lockdown, with people spending more time gardening.

She added: "We give them all a name, not because they are a pet but because we need to identify each individual.

"Ideally, we release them where they came from, particularly adults as they know where to find food and mates."

It is hoped Bean can be released back into the wild at a later date.

What you can do to help hedgehogs:

  • Create a small hole in your fence or gate to give them access to gardens, particularly in urban areas

  • Create an area for shelter, such as a pile of leaves, as somewhere to hibernate

  • Put out canned dog or cat food if you do not want to encourage insects in your garden

  • Provide a bowl of water

  • Do not feed hedgehogs bread or milk, as this can make them very ill