Nature Features

Blondie the hedgehog has been looked after by the West Midlands Hedgehog Rescue Centre in Walsall ever since he was found in a distressed state by a good samaritan.

Blondie at the 'Hedgehog Hosprickal'

Island retreat

He can't be released into the wild here because his blonde hair makes him a target for foxes and badgers, so he's emigrating to Guernsey where there are no predators to harm him.

Blonde hedgehogs are extremely rare in the UK, and their colouring occurs because of a recessive gene.

Blondie - the rare blonde hedgehog

Prickly passenger

Blondie will be leaving on a special flight from Birmingham Airport where the prickly passenger will be going straight to his new home at the Guernsey Hedgehog Rescue Centre.

After a period of readjustment, Blondie will be reintroduced back into a natural environment, safe in the knowledge that he won't meet an untimely end.