In Medstead, United Kingdom, a resident recently opened a recycling bin and was surprised by an unusual sight. At first glance, it looked like just another discarded Nutella jar sitting on top of a pile of glass bottles. From a distance, the jar seemed to be half-filled with leftover chocolate spread. But when the Good Samaritan leaned closer, they realized something inside was moving.
Instead of Nutella, the jar contained a tiny hedgehog curled up tightly, her spines pressed against the glass. Somehow, the little creature had managed to squeeze her way inside but couldn’t escape. Confused, frightened, and stuck, she waited for help.
The resident acted quickly, taking the jar straight to HART Wildlife Rescue (HWR). Their timely decision would turn out to be the difference between life and death for the stranded hedgehog.
A Rescue That Required Patience And Creativity
At HWR, staff were shocked but determined to help. “This poor little hedgehog got herself into quite the predicament,” the organization later shared on Facebook. “It’s not known how she got into the glass bottle bin, but she was incredibly lucky to have been spotted when she was!”
The hedgehog was too tightly wedged to free herself, and her fear only made matters harder. As soon as rescuers approached, she curled into a ball — a natural instinct that left only her sharp quills visible inside the narrow jar. Pulling her out by force could have caused injury, so the team needed to think creatively.
Instead of smashing the jar or trying to pry her loose, wildlife carer Olivia came up with a gentler approach. She took a simple coffee stirrer and began lightly scratching the hedgehog’s back. The soft strokes calmed the frightened animal enough for her to slowly uncurl. Once she relaxed, the team was able to carefully grip her tiny front feet and gently wiggle her free from the jar.
Within moments, the little hedgehog was safe again — unharmed, though understandably stressed.
Settling In And Starting Recovery
Once freed, the hedgehog was placed in her own cozy cage at the rescue center. The team made sure she was warm, comfortable, and had plenty of food and water to help her regain her strength. Their new patient quickly won the hearts of everyone caring for her.
However, during her medical checkup, staff discovered that she was battling endoparasites. This meant she couldn’t return to the wild immediately. For now, she is undergoing treatment and gaining strength each day in the care of her rescuers.
Although the team looks forward to releasing her when she’s healthy, they admit they’ll miss her sweet presence. Until then, they continue to cheer her on, reminding her that once she’s back in the wild, glass jars — especially ones once filled with Nutella — are strictly off-limits.
A Lesson For Everyone About Wildlife Safety
Her unusual rescue has also highlighted a broader issue: discarded food containers can pose a serious danger to wildlife. Animals often crawl inside to lick out the last bits of food but become trapped, unable to escape.
The hedgehog’s story serves as an important reminder for people everywhere to rinse and crush jars or cans before recycling — small steps that can prevent big tragedies.
In this case, thanks to one observant passerby and the skilled care of HWR, a life was saved. And soon, when she’s strong enough, this resilient little hedgehog will return to the wild — free to roam without fear of jars, bins, or tight squeezes ever again.
