Full Breakdown
Hedgehog rescued from wall in St Helier amid rising heat-wave concerns
8/23/2026, 9:58:58 PM
Rescue operation on Old St John’s Road
A passer-by alerted rescuers that a male hedgehog was trapped deep inside a wall on Old St John’s Road in St Helier. Bex Pontin, an out-of-hours ambulance driver for JSPCA Animals’ Shelter, used a long-handled net and a rake to reach the animal through an extremely narrow opening. After considerable patience and perseverance, Ponti guided the hedgehog into the net and freed it. The animal, weighing about 700 g (24 oz), emerged with short front claws from climbing the shaft and two minor sores on its nose but otherwise appeared unharmed.
Background: heat-wave strain on hedgehogs
Animal charities have warned that successive heatwaves are worsening conditions for hedgehogs across the Channel Islands. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) reports a 30 % increase in hedgehogs found orphaned or dehydrated during hot, dry summers, which limit their ability to dig for insects.
Official statements & guidance
The Jersey Animal Hedgehog Preservation Group praised Ponti’s determination, noting she “never gave up” while working through the narrow shaft. Gill Morgan, a spokesperson for the group, urged residents to place shallow water bowls in gardens and provide small amounts of dry pet food, refilling them morning and evening. The RSPCA reiterated the same advice, emphasizing that supplemental water can help hedgehogs survive prolonged heat.
Data & statistics
Verbatim quotes
- “After a lot of patience, perseverance and creative teamwork, Bex successfully guided him into the net and brought him safely to freedom.” — St John's Road They
