Hi Celeste
Yes it’s very sad. The hedgehogs kept as pets are African Pygmy Hedgehogs, but like other hedgehogs they are nocturnal, so completely unsuitable as pets – and why would anyone want a pet which should be left alone all day to sleep. Also, like other hedgehogs they roam over large distances in their natural habitat so keeping them caged is cruel. I can only imagine the frustration of the poor things.
This is what the RSPCA say about it: https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/other/africanpygmyhedgehogs
So much better to watch our beloved European Hedgehogs in the wild, so that they can continue to live wild and free as they should do.
On a lighter note, I love the idea of a whole field given up to wild hedgehog habitat! If only a rich donor would come along and change your monopoly money into real money!
