A joint Nature Trust Malta and HSBC Malta Foundation project aimed at safeguarding the existence of the protected mammals on the islands has managed to rescue 124 hedgehogs over the past six months.

Sixty road signs have also been installed near known habitat areas of hedgehogs in Malta and Gozo. At least 20 more signs have been requested by local councils.

Referred to as the Algerian or North African hedgehog (Atelerix algirus), the hedgehog is a native of the Maltese islands and has no real predator. Its number one killer is motor vehicles.

Due to the heightened awareness the campaign has created, several calls have been received in the first half of the year from people keeping hedgehogs as pets, not knowing that the species is protected in Malta. Once notified, owners have voluntarily returned the hedgehogs for rehabilitation and eventual release.

The campaign is carrying out at least two hedgehog rescues per day. The project includes a hedgehog adoption campaign to fund medical and rehabilitation costs of injured or orphaned hedgehogs. The aim of all rescues is to release hedgehogs back into the wild.

The hedgehog rescue hotline is 9999 9505. To adopt a hedgehog, information can be obtained by e-mailing adoptahedgehogmalta@gmail.com.