Hedgehog Heroes: The Stories of Rex and Linden

As we head into the colder months, it’s always lovely to take a moment to reflect on the small success stories that remind us why we do what we do. Over the past few weeks, two very special hedgehogs have made their way back into the wild, Rex and Linden, and we’d love to share their journeys with you.

These are stories of kindness, survival, and a whole lot of heart.

Rex – Rescued in the Park, Restored to the Wild

Meet Rex – a tiny hedgehog found wandering during the day in Rex Park, Dunfermline. He was first spotted by Susan, who was visiting from Dorset and dog-sitting for her daughter. As she walked through the park, she noticed a group of people taking photos of something on the path… but then they just walked on.

Curious, Susan went over and found a small hedgehog, clearly out of place in the daylight. Instinctively, she knew something wasn’t right – hedgehogs shouldn’t be active in daylight unless they’re in distress.

So what did Susan do? She popped him gently in her pocket to warm him up and brought him to us.

Rex was in a bad way. He weighed just 192g and was riddled with multiple parasites. He was cold, weak, and in desperate need of care. Thankfully, with a little time, warmth, and treatment, Rex responded brilliantly.

By the end of August, Rex had made a full recovery and tipped the scales at a healthy 685g – ready to return to the wild where he belongs!

A huge thank you to Susan for acting when others walked by, and to Steve & Susan for offering their garden as a safe release site. Rex is now back out in the world, and it’s all thanks to your compassion.

Linden – A Hoglet with Heart

Next up is Linden, who stole all of our hearts from the moment he arrived.

Linden was found in Falkland, lying alone on Claire’s driveway – a tiny 10-day-old hoglet weighing just 51g. His eyes were still closed, as hedgehog babies don’t open their eyes until around two weeks old. Sadly, there was no sign of his mum or any siblings. Claire searched the area for a nest but found nothing.

With the odds stacked against him, Linden’s journey was never going to be easy – but this little one was a fighter from the start. He settled into life at the rescue with gusto, taking to his feeds like a pro and steadily gaining weight.

And there was something truly special about Linden… he talked to us. Yes, really! Whenever we walked into the rescue and he heard our voices, he’d get up, waddle over to the hutch door, and chirp at us.

Of course, as he grew older, Linden became a typical huffy teenager, giving us the odd snort or grumble when we disturbed his routine – which, frankly, we loved him all the more for!

By the end of September, he had grown into a big, beautiful hedgehog weighing 1,100g, and we were proud (and a little emotional) to release him back into the wild.

A heartfelt thank you to Claire, who didn’t hesitate to contact us when she spotted a tiny bundle of spikes on her driveway. Because of you, Linden got his second chance.

The Power of Kindness

Rex and Linden’s stories are reminders of just how important everyday actions can be. Whether it’s stopping to check on a wild animal, making a phone call, or offering a safe garden for release, these moments save lives.

As winter approaches, we’ll be caring for many more hedgehogs just like Rex and Linden – some too small to hibernate, others recovering from injuries or illness. Your support makes it possible for us to continue giving them the care they need.

If you’d like to get involved, whether through donations, release sites, or volunteering, please reach out. Every small act of kindness ripples into something much bigger for these beautiful creatures.

Stay safe, little ones. And thank you to our hedgehog heroes – both the prickly and the human kind.