Staff at an RSPCA wildlife centre have been enjoying a rare treat – nursing back to health a baby

The unusual young female was admitted to the Stapeley Grange centre in Cheshire in late July after being found in a poorly state by a member of the public in Gobowen, Shropshire.

Believed to be only a few months old, she weighed only 110g when she was brought in, underweight for a typical hedgehog of that age.

Since then she is brushing up very well, having quickly tripled in weight.

The centre believe she will be ready for release in a few weeks when she hits the optimum weight of 600g.

Dr Andrew Kelly, manager of RSPCA in Cheshire, said: “We receive around 600 hedgehogs a year at Stapeley Grange, often orphaned juveniles, but we’ve never had a blonde hedgehog before.

“They’re extremely rare so it’s a real delight to have one in our care. We’ve worked hard to get her back to a healthy weight and are thrilled she’s responded so well.”

Although not a true albino, the animals receive their rare blonde colouring from a rare recessive gene.

Only a small number can be found in the UK, although they are a common sight on the Channel Island of Alderney after a pair were released in the 1960s.

The recovering blonde’s unusual colouring makes housing her a prickly issue though.

Few such types survive in the wild as their conspicuous coats lure in predators such as foxes, badgers and dogs.

But this patient, who remains nameless as staff never give their wild animals titles, will instead be discharged into a safe, enclosed private garden, where she can be fed and monitored.

The lucky young thing is set to lead a healthy, happy life again proving that blondes really do have all the fun.

Via news.sky.com