Hi Bassman
I suspect not a rescue centre. This is the information from BHPS about marking:
Can I ‘mark’ my hedgehogs?
We’re pretty sure a hedgehog would rather not be marked, but if you are going to do it, please do ensure that you use a non-toxic water-based marker and mark just a few spines of the hedgehog. Keep the mark away from the hedgehog’s face and mark it in the garden on the ground rather than picking it up/bringing it indoors. Please don’t use red as people may mistake it for blood and ‘rescue’ it. Do not make hedgehog conspicuous to predators. We have seen some very sad images of poor hedgehogs practically covered in paint! If you are watching the hedgehogs on a wildlife camera you will often be able to tell them apart over time without the need for marking.
Note in particular:
We’re pretty sure a hedgehog would rather not be marked
and
just a few spines
It is possible to learn to recognise hedgehogs from their natural markings. My own view is that any interaction between humans and hedgehogs should only be if it is for the benefit of that hedgehog or hedgehogs as whole. Learning more about what happens to released hedgehogs may be justified. Putting large amounts of foreign substance on them is not nor is marking them for the human’s benefit. Sadly all too many people do mark hedgehogs artificially for their own benefit.
