A hedgehog is recovering after it was thought to have been slashed across the face by a garden strimmer leaving it with a life threatening injury.

It was spotted bleeding heavily in Officers Field on Portland and taken to Paula’s Wildlife Rescue, a self-funded wildlife rescue centre based on the island.

Paula Hebblewaite, 55, who runs the centre, immediately put the hedgehog - which she has called Nigel - on painkillers and antibiotics as she worked to keep him alive overnight.

No-one saw the hedgehog get hit by the strimmer but Paula suspects that’s what happened from the injuries - sadly it’s a common hazard for hedgehogs.

Paula said: “He is a very poorly hog. It looks like the strimmer caught the side of his face. Anything on the face or head looks really bad and bleeds a lot.

“He still has his nose and front teeth, so I’m hoping he can eat and drink on his own but he has lost one eye.”

Paula worried given its dire condition that unless the hedgehog was able to eat on his own overnight then he wouldn’t be able to make it, and would need to be taken to the vet to be put to sleep.

Nigel - who is a large male weighing 815g and riddled with ticks and ringworm - made it through the night and to Paula’s relief already looking much better. Now the main worry is whether his remaining eye, currently swollen shut, still sees.

Paula, who has cared for thousands of hedgehogs over her seven years running the centre, said: “He has lost one eye but I’m hopeful the other eye will be ok. We won’t know until the swelling goes down if he has lost it.

“He also has lots of internal parasites so is being treated for those as well. He is a real fighter.

“Things are looking up for him. It is looking like the eye is intact under the swelling. If it is he could go back out to a proper hedgehog-friendly garden and live a happy hog life.

“If he is blind it’s another matter and would need more intensive care.”

Paula has a love of animals and started her rescue career when her daughter was training to become a vet nurse. She ended up involved with the now-closed Weymouth Rescue Centre and things ‘went from there’.

Currently, Nigel is one of two hedgehogs under Paula’s care, but she is expecting a busy few months ahead as the hedgehog baby season approaches. 

She said: “There are lots of dangers out there for them. Their numbers are dropping rapidly so if we can save some it does help.”

Most rescued hedgehogs are returned to where they came from if possible. Paula also cares for other small wildlife such as mice, birds and bunnies.

If you want to find out more visit: facebook.com/paulaswildliferescue