More than 70 once-sickly hedgehogs from Cambridgeshire are being released back into the wild under a programme aimed at increasing diminishing numbers. They spent the winter being nursed back to health at Shepreth Wildlife Conservation Charity’s hospital. The 76 hedgehogs taking part in the programme were all brought in to the hedgehog hospital, which opened in November, by members of the public. Their release has been delayed by more than six weeks because of the cold weather. Rebecca Willers, curator of Shepreth Wildlife Park, said the charity had worked closely with countryside organisations, local colleges and the National Trust to find the best places for the animals to thrive. “The conservation charity doesn’t want the care they have taken looking after the hedgehogs to be in vain,” she said. Dr John Lewis, from Wildlife Vets International, said: “This comprehensive approach adopted by the SWCC is putting science at the heart of hedgehog rehabilitation. It is absolutely essential if we are to advance our knowledge to the long-term benefit of the species.”