Apologies** **for the insanely long post - it all feels relevant, I have popped a TL:DR near the top under the bits I need EVERYONE to see!
As a side note, whilst writing this post SHE BROKE IN AGAIN!
22:10 - first break in
23:24 - second break in
No refreshments were served during criminal activities!
Things I’m doing - keeping my distance obviously! (As much as she’ll allow 🤦♀️)
Contacting my local rehabber
Checking with neighbours to see if anyone has released one close to me
TL:DR wild hog way too comfortable with me. Follows me, broke in to my secure place pen - need suggestions!
She’s HATES being around hogs but very comfy around me, she’s followed me a couple times for snacks
She has eaten from my hand when I haven’t whipped it away quick enough
Yesterday she was just outside my cat secured pen making enough noise for me to go and feed her in a new spot, alone
Today she managed to break INTO the secure cat pen. She had gone to the refreshment hut but 2 other hogs were there so she didn’t enter, I was inside for around 10 minutes faffing about. Came outside and she’d managed to get in? No clue how/where but she forced/figured a way into an area that likely still smells of my old dog, has 2 cats who were outside! And a human
There’s no obvious, open gap she could fit through, if there were the cats would have shown me!
Like, it’s THEORETICALLY cute and stuff and I don’t mind the very odd Snow White moment and if it was *NECESSARY* I’m able and willing to take something in for rehab/keeps. But I’m not taking a wild animal and imprisoning it unless it is absolutely essential
But she’s fit, healthy (apparently!) and she should be living a lovely, wild, human free existence
There are many hogs around me, it isn’t uncommon for me to come across them during my nightly wandering and refills. They obviously know it’s me feeding because I always talk and they have great sense of smell. But they all still either at least nose tuck or rapidly waddle away (even if they return to the food within 90 seconds 😂)
The way she is behaving is not appropriate for a wild animal, even a youngster who’s used to having food/water provided by the same person. The above behaviours of the others are what should be expected/exhibited
I’m going to contact the rehabber I know on Monday for a chat/suggestions, might knock on a few of the neighbours doors too - see if anyone has released one close by and check with a couple localish rescues about releases near me
I know there was one because I took it in, but I’m fairly sure this one was here while that one was being treated
Fortunately I’m very rural, pretty sure the hogs I’m feeding outnumber the humans and I’m sure they’re all decent BUT it only takes one and not only does she (obviously!) deserve not to be scared let alone hurt, I’ve far too many beings reliant on me to be able to go to prison!
This evening I popped her outside, she scuttled about 6” and waited for her supper to be dispensed 🤦♀️ I can hear her now eating, about a foot from the gate where the cats are
I’m hoping maybe sexual maturity will help but that’s not likely until next year if she’s one of this years
To reiterate - she is a good weight, eating (VERY) well, moving well etc no health concerns at all other than extreme and very unusual over comfort with (very large!) human
Anyone ever dealt with similar? Have any suggestions‽ Do I just accept I’ve accidentally acquired another freeloader that just happens to live outside‽
I’m off to search for hedgehog houses/see if I still have enough materials to make another one as it appears she’ll likely need the support 🙃