Ferry Crew Rescues Baby Hedgehogs After Mother Dies

Two tiny hedgehog siblings are fighting their way back to health after losing their mother, thanks to a Scottish ferry crew that made sure they reached expert care.

The orphaned babies, called hoglets, were discovered in poor condition on the Isle of Lewis beside their mother's body. Rescuers knew the little ones needed specialized treatment fast, but the nearest wildlife hospital was across the sea.

That's where CalMac's ferry service stepped in. The company's Stornoway to Ullapool route became a lifeline for the hoglets, carrying them safely across the water to Highland Wildlife Rescue in Brora, Sutherland.

Wildlife experts are now hand-feeding the tiny patients and helping them rehydrate as they build their strength back up. Once they've fully recovered, they'll be released into a hedgehog-friendly habitat on the mainland where they can thrive.

The hoglets weren't traveling alone. They shared their journey with another young hedgehog and an injured rock dove, all heading to rehabilitation. Just the week before, the same ferry route had transported two seal pups needing care.

The Ripple Effect

Wildlife transfers have become a regular part of CalMac's service, creating an unexpected safety net for injured animals across Scotland's remote islands. The ferry route connects island communities to mainland resources they can't access otherwise, and that lifeline extends to the smallest and furriest residents too.

"Our ferry services provide a vital lifeline for island communities, and occasionally that includes helping vulnerable wildlife reach the specialist care they need," a CalMac spokesperson said. The company's crew members are delighted the hoglets are getting treatment and wish all their animal passengers speedy recoveries.

For islands where specialized veterinary care doesn't exist, these ferry crossings can mean the difference between life and death for injured wildlife. What started as a transportation service for people has become an essential rescue route for creatures who need a second chance.

Those two tiny hedgehogs are proof that sometimes the best helpers show up in unexpected places, ready to carry you to safety.