In December, Tino from grade 5 made a very special discovery. In the garden next to his house, he found a small hedgehog wandering around all by itself. Since hedgehogs are supposed to be hibernating in winter, Tino immediately realized: this hedgehog needs help!
Carefully, he placed the animal in a cardboard box and made it comfortable with a soft towel (without loops or holes) and a lukewarm plastic bottle. At home, the little hedgehog was able to warm up at room temperature. After two hours, it was even given special hedgehog food to help it regain strength.
But Tino knew that they could not manage this alone. His grandmother Birgit therefore sought help in the Facebook group “Igel-Notfälle-Beratung und alles drumherum” (“Hedgehog Emergency Advice and Everything Around It”). And indeed, after just 30 minutes, they received contact details for hedgehog rescue centers in Leipzig.
The next day, Tino took the little hedgehog to one of the recommended hedgehog rescue organizations in Leipzig, run by Mrs. H. There, the hedgehog was weighed and given a name: Paula. Unfortunately, it turned out that Paula was underweight and had internal parasites. However, she was in the best possible hands with Mrs. H.
With lots of care, the right food, and medication, Paula slowly regained her strength. After five weeks, she had reached an impressive weight of 650 grams – a true hedgehog success story!
Since January 8, 2026, Paula has been enjoying a safe and well-deserved hibernation. In a protected garden at Mrs. H.’s place in Leipzig, she has found a quiet spot where she is well cared for and can gather new strength.
But Tino’s hedgehog story did not end there. At our school, fabric scraps were collected to create something useful. Together with his mother and grandmother, Tino sewed 11 small hedgehog cuddle pouches. These soft pouches are used indoors for injured or weakened hedgehogs and help them feel safe and secure.
The LIS GreenTeam also supported hedgehog protection. At the winter market, students sold lovingly handmade products. The proceeds were used to collect donations for hedgehog rescue.
On January 18, the time had come: Tino and his grandmother Birgit presented Mrs. H. from Hedgehog Rescue Leipzig with the 11 handmade hedgehog cuddle pouches along with a donation of 100 euros. Mrs. H. was deeply touched by this heartfelt gesture. The donation is urgently needed for medication, food, and veterinary care.
This initiative shows how much can be achieved together with commitment, compassion and a little bit of sewing thread.
Important Note
If you find a hedgehog in need, you can ask for advice on Facebook in the group “Igel-Notfälle-Beratung und alles drumherum.”
We had very positive experiences there and received help quickly. Thanks to Tino’s attentiveness, care, and the support of many dedicated people, Paula was saved. This story shows that children can make a big difference when they notice and take action.
Thank you, Tino! 🦔💚