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Spineless hedgehog recovers by massages

A hedgehog that lost his spines due to stress is now on the road to recovery - thanks to daily massages.

The hedgehog, affectionately named Bear, was brought into the Cuan Wildlife Rescue Centre in Much Wenlock, Shrops, this January by a concerned member of the public who at first didn't know what the spineless creature was.

Centre manager Fran Hill, normally looks after birds at the centre but took Bear into her care as a special case and discovered the tiny mammals spike-free look had also been caused by a mite infestation. But thanks to daily back rubs and aloe vera treatment, Bear's spines have now grown back and it is hoped the juvenile hedgehog will be returned to the wild this summer.

Hill, 52, said: "It's heartbreaking, it really is."

"We can only assume that he went into hibernation and had these ear mites which took hold. When hedgehogs get stressed they lose their spines."