66% Of Local Wildlife Rescues Were Hedgehogs In 2025

According to Nature Trust Malta, 2025 marked a significant rise in rescue operations, with the team responding to 956 wildlife rescue calls, a 16% increase compared to 2024.

Hedgehogs represented the largest proportion of cases, accounting for 66% of all rescues (635 animals).

Sea turtles were involved in 61 calls, including both live injured individuals and deceased specimens collected for scientific data.

Snakes and chameleons made up 8% and 7% of rescues respectively, alongside bats, shrews and other protected species.

Nature Trust Malta reported that the WRT dedicated 23,566 rehabilitation days to injured wildlife during the year.

Of the animals rescued, 48% were successfully rehabilitated and released back into the wild. The organisation also noted the birth of 26 hedgehogs to mothers already in care.

However, it acknowledged that some animals, particularly bats and chameleons, arrived with injuries too severe to survive.

The 2025 sea turtle nesting season was described as a standout success, with six confirmed nests and 319 hatchlings reaching the sea.

This effort was supported by over 300 volunteers, who collectively contributed nearly 13,000 hours to beach patrols and nest protection.

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