Devon hedgehog recovers from infections after losing almost all his prickles

Ollie, a hedgehog found with almost no prickles, is recovering at an animal rescue in Devon after ringworm and a bacterial infection caused them to fall out. The infections also left painful crusting around his mouth, which made it difficult to eat. He can now feed himself, but is not yet well enough to return to the wild.

His case has drawn more than 13 million online viewers and raised nearly £5,000 for Prickles in a Pickle, where he has become a fundraising mascot. The charity now cares for more than 1,000 hedgehogs a year, up from about 40 seven years ago, and costs its founders £65,000 to £70,000 annually to run. Co-founder Judy Thomson said warmer recent weather may mean infections and parasites persist longer than usual; she urged people who see a hedgehog out during the day to contact a local rescue.