dailyloe.com – In November 2025, a hedgehog named Bernard nestled into a pile of leaves and branches. He did not know his chosen spot would become part of a bonfire built for Guy Fawkes Night, a celebration in the U.K. When the flames were lit, Bernard’s world ignited around him. The little hedgehog screamed for help.
A member of the public heard the screaming sounds and saw the hedgehog running out to escape from the fire, according to Suzi Kemp, the communications officer at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Haddenham, England. The woman gently scooped him up, wrapped him in a towel and placed him in a cardboard box. She then rushed him to Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital.
Bernard had already done the only thing he knew to do when the woman reached him. A hedgehog’s self-defence is to roll into a tight ball when they feel threatened or scared, Kemp said. Their sharp spikes will protect them from predators, so their tactic is to roll up and keep still until the threat has gone away. This is exactly what he did in this case, despite being in terrible pain and extreme stress from the situation.
The hospital team immediately saw how serious Bernard’s injuries were. Bernard had severe burns to a large patch of his spines and the skin beneath when he arrived, and was also suffering from smoke inhalation and shock, Kemp said. The chances of survival from such extensive burn damage to his skin were very slim, but we are always optimistic and give each of our patients the very best chance possible. The first 24 hours were the most critical.
Despite the odds being stacked against Bernard, the hospital team worked hard to save his life. For weeks, Bernard remained in intensive care. Then, he slowly got better. His strength returned, his appetite grew, and his protective spikes grew back.
Soon, Bernard was strong enough to move to an outdoor enclosure, where he is relearning how to be a wild hedgehog. According to Kemp, he loves his food and enjoys snuggling up under a warm towel for a cosy daytime nap with a full belly. She added that he is also a surprisingly fast swimmer in his hydrotherapy sessions.
Bernard is still at the hospital.
