RAF St Mawgan is helping the hedgehog population to flourish after teaming up with a charity.

Prickles and Paws Hedgehog in Cubert has released more than 100 hedgehogs back into the wild at the airbase since the facility became an official release site for the hedgehog rescue and rehabilitation centre over four years ago.

Prickles and Paws co-founder Katy South said: “RAF St Mawgan is the perfect release site for hedgehogs, particularly hoglets, who end up at our rescue from unknown or unsafe locations.

“It is a large, safe area, free from natural predators, with lots of space and habitat for them to roam.

“We also use other sites for releases, but RAF St Mawgan is the largest with over 20 nest boxes across the extensive site and it has several rewilded areas dedicated to hedgehog conservation.

“The team there are absolutely fantastic. They are so interested in our work and in helping these amazing creatures.

“Every year we admit more and more hedgehogs, so local partnerships such as these are invaluable to us.

“Seeing a healthy hedgehog go back to the wild is always a special moment for our team, and releasing our hundredth healthy hedgehog here at RAF St Mawgan is such a great way to start the year. We have a feeling it’s going to be another busy one.”

Hedgehogs are classified as vulnerable to extinction in the UK.

Prickles and Paws admits injured hedgehogs and hoglets from all over Cornwall.

Hedgehogs must be safely released back into the wild when they recover.

This should be close to where the hedgehog was first found, however when this area is deemed unsafe for the hedgehog, the charity contacts safe designated release sites in a similar area or of a similar habitat, such as RAF St Mawgan.

Sergeant Paul Smith from RAF St Mawgan said: “RAF St Mawgan is committed to supporting a number of Environmental Initiatives, we find ourselves in the fortunate position of being able to provide a safe and suitable habitat for these vulnerable creatures due to uniquely being a training establishment rather than an active flying unit.

“Our estate has everything a hedgehog needs and that is showing in a growing population with releases and many released animals choosing to stay on site after release.

“The project and support are available 24/7 for last-minute releases and provides feeding in those first few vital days of being back in the wild.

“I am proud to be able to run a hedgehog conservation project here and more importantly support the great work that Prickles and Paws do.”

Prickles and Paws has been fundraising for a new hedgehog hospital to help it to cope with ever-rising numbers of injured hedgehogs and hoglets since January 2022.

The new hogspital, which is 65 pert cent of the way towards being fully funded, will enable the rescue to help up to four times as many hedgehogs than at present.

The charity has more than 1,400 hedgehog admissions each year and outgrew its current residential premises some time ago.