A retired nurse in Merton has turned her shed into a rescue centre for hedgehogs.
Kelly Parsons, 45, founded Merton Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation in 2020 to look after injured hedgehogs before releasing them back into the wild.
The idea came after Parsons first rescued a hedgehog, named Sonic, and drove 12 miles from Morden to the nearest rescue in Caterham.
Parsons said: “Then people started bringing hedgehogs to me.”
Realising Merton residents needed a more accessible rescue centre, she began researching ways to help hedgehogs in London.
Parsons’ renovated shed holds eight injured hedgehogs and is usually full.
Merton residents often contact her about hedgehogs spotted in their gardens, but some have come from as far as Camden and London Bridge.
As hedgehogs are nocturnal, Parsons often treats them at night.
She said: “It’s a good job I don’t sleep very well.”
The hedgehogs at the rescue centre have suffered from ear infections, leg injuries and internal parasites.
Many hedgehogs have contracted illnesses, or sustained injuries from gardening equipment such as lawn mowers and pesticides.
One hedgehog had his leg amputated after getting caught in a rat trap.
Parsons even had to delay this interview to rescue a hedgehog tangled in a football net.
Hedgehogs are classified as vulnerable to extinction on the Red List for British Mammals.
According to a 2022 report, while the hedgehog population is declining, research shows there might be a stable recovery in urban areas.
Parson is not the only hedgehog rescuer based in the Borough of Merton, with vetenary nurse Emma Onyejekwe lending a helping hand as well.
Onyejekwe, 32, founded the Mitcham Hedgehog Project in 2024 to identify the presence of hedgehogs in Mitcham Common and surrounding areas.
She surveys these areas with cameras and tunnels which track hedgehog footprints.
Onyejekwe has volunteered on various hedgehog conservation projects such as the Royal Parks Hedgehog Survey as well.
She is particularly interested in hedgehogs because they are an indicator species, meaning the presence or absence of hedgehogs can serve as a sign of the environmental health of an area.
Onyejekwe felt demotivated after sending out 255 leaflets for the Mitcham Hedgehog Project from which she only received four responses.
However, she kept going after finding a hedgehog killed in a road accident and getting a call about an injured hedgehog in the same week.
Onyejekwe said: “I need to continue and push on.
“It’s nice to know that I’ve helped people realise [hedgehogs] are here.”
Onyejekwe hopes to give talks at schools and raise awareness of hedgehog conservation.
As for Parsons, she has organised an information stall at the Merton Dog Watch on 24 May.
Parsons had an overwhelming response from people interested in volunteering at the stall.
Parsons said: “I have got a lot of very kind supporters.
“[The rescue] does pull people together and it is a bit of fun.”
Feature image credit: Kelly Parsons
