A POORLY hedgehog is getting ready for a lonely Valentine’s Day as his friends are released back into the wild.

Shepreth Wildlife Park is getting ready to release 73 hedgehogs which were brought into the park’s hedgehog hospital over the winter.

But one, the aptly named Valentine, is set for a longer stay at the hospital.

He was found disorientated during the day in someone’s garden, and upon arrival was diagnosed with ringworm and mites, as well as being riddled with internal parasites.

Hedgehog hospital manager Natasha Ennew gave Valentine his name.

She said: “I have a soft spot for this poor little fella and even took him home with me for the first few days to monitor his condition. It is such a shame he won’t be able to be released along with the others, as it will take some time for his fur and spines to grow back now.”

Valentine is set to be released later this year.

However, love could be in the air for the park’s red squirrels.

Keepers at the wildlife park received confirmation of a female red squirrel which will be arriving from The Red Squirrel Conservation Trust at Banham Zoo.

The female will be introduced to the resident males on Valentine’s Day.

Rebecca Willers, animal manager at Shepreth, said: “The boys have been on their own since the previous female was given to the Anglesey red squirrel release project last year.

“It is hoped the introduction on Valentine’s Day will produce offspring later this year for the Conservation Trust.”