Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Obese hedgehog goes on a diet, being too fat to curl into a ball

The new diet has already seen a change in Jabba the hedgehog

Charlie Atkin
Tuesday 01 March 2016 17:06 GMT
Comments
This obese hedgehog is going on a diet

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

An obese hedgehog, weighing in at nearly three times the average weight of a wild hedgehog is going on a diet.

Jabba is on a strict diet of liquefied dog food, having been overfed by his previous owner.

He had grown so large, Jabba was unable to curl into a spiky ball and therefore easy prey in the wild.

Upon arrival at the Oak and Furrows wildlife rescue centre, near Swindon, the hedgehog earned unflattering names like Hogzilla and Mr Piggywinkle.

Star Wars fan and animal carer Darren Squires eventually settled on Jabba.

It is hoped he will lose over a kilogram to hit his target weight of 650 grams (1.4 pounds) before being released back into the wild.

It was so far so good on Monday when his latest weigh-in showed he's already down to 1.67kg (3.6 Ibs).

No longer scoffing mealworms, his portion controlled diet has already seen him lose so much weight he can now roll into a ball.

Additional reporting by AP

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in