538 Hedgehogs Rescued in 2024 as Wildlife Rescue Reports Record Year

Wildlife Rescue Team Malta rescued 538 hedgehogs in 2024, making them the most commonly aided species during a record-breaking year for the NGO. Announcing the statistics on social media, the organisation revealed it responded to 824 calls for animals in distress—a 124-call increase from 2023.

While hedgehogs accounted for 65% of all cases, other species also required significant attention. The NGO received 78 calls for bats, 60 each for chameleons and snakes, and 46 for sea turtles. Hundreds of additional calls concerning non-native animals were redirected to the appropriate authorities.

The Northern and Northern Harbour districts accounted for over half of all rescue calls, highlighting regional hotspots for wildlife assistance.

Rehabilitation efforts were intensive, with animals spending a combined total of 22,405 days in care. As of December 2024, 32 animals remained under rehabilitation, including 24 hedgehogs and eight sea turtles. Despite releasing 47% of rescued animals back into the wild, severe injuries led to a 42% fatality rate, particularly among bats and chameleons.

The NGO thanked the public for reporting animals in need and expressed gratitude to its volunteers for their unwavering dedication to conservation efforts.

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