A total of nine hedgehogs had their first taste of freedom since last autumn when they were released back into the wild at a remote area near Ronague.
The hedgehogs, all a strapping 900-plus grammes, had spent the winter in foster care because they were too small to have survived winter hibernation.
Sandy Huyton, of the Manx Hedgehog Conservation Society, said: ‘Without the care and support of our dedicated foster carers, these orphaned hoglets would have most definitely perished during the colder months. The event brought together all our foster carers for the first time and we shared wonderful happy stories of how much they all enjoyed the experience.’
She said if the animals had insufficient body fat at the point of hibernation they would usually not survive until the spring. Many of the fostered animals were rescued by members of the public and handed to the charity.
Thanks were extended to the Glassey family, of Ballalona Farm, who supported the society and provided snacks and refreshments at the end of the release.
‘We had a wonderful evening for all the right reasons,’ Ms Huyton said.
Yesterday (Monday) the society was at the Strand shopping centre in Douglas, fundraising and promoting Hedgehog Awareness Week.
The group was running a team activity to build a giant hedgehog using driftwood.
The society is currently fundraising. Its target is to raise £80,000 for a hedgehog visitor centre at St Mark’s.