There has been a rise in the number of hedgehogs in Alderney dealing with an unidentified illness, a charity has reported.

Kelly Huitson, a veterinary nurse from the Alderney Animal Welfare Society, said she had looked after a “worryingly large number” of very sick hedgehogs.

Some of the hedgehogs suffered significant tick counts along with respiratory, neurological, skin and underweight problems, she said.

Although she does not know the cause of the illnesses, Ms Huitson asked anyone using pesticides to check that the ingredients are wildlife-friendly.

Blond hedgehogs are only found on Alderney and North Ronaldsay, an island off the coast of Scotland, Ms Huitson said.

She said the charity is currently working with scientists to find out what makes them blonde, as they are not albino.

Surveys showed that somewhere between 55-70 percent of the island’s total hedgehog population is blonde, she said, and they appeared to be smaller than the brown hedgehogs.

Ms Huitson said: “Blonde hedgehogs also have a reputation for being much tamer and less flighty than brown hedgehogs in the UK, but this could be because people often provide them with food as residents are keen to preserve our flagship population. or from the lack of predators”.

As Alderney has no foxes or badgers, the biggest threats to hedgehogs are large birds and traffic, she added.

Alderney Animal Welfare is the only veterinary clinic on the island and Ms Huitson said it had a good release rate for wild animals that arrived injured or sick.

She said: “The recent problems with hedgehogs not doing well is really worrying for us and we really appreciate donations to the charity for supplies, food and further tests we can do which may shed light on what it keeps them from thriving.”