Utility workers George and Joe turned rescuers
The young hedgehog was discovered at the bottom of a concrete storm tank during routine maintenance checks. (Credit: South West Water)
A routine site inspection transformed into an emergency animal rescue mission after two utility workers discovered a young hedgehog stranded at the bottom of a deep underground storage unit.
The animal, later named Aquarius, was found inside a storm tank despite the presence of safety barriers designed to keep wildlife out. It is believed the hedgehog scaled safety railings before falling into the empty tank at Blackawton, near Dartmouth.
Hedgehogs are known to be capable of climbing fences up to six feet high.
Joe Martin, a recovery & treatment area manager for wastewater services, and his colleague George Cane spotted the animal during their scheduled checks.
“I was walking the site as part of routine checks when I spotted a small ball of spikes down in the tank,” Joe Martin said. “Thankfully the storm tank was empty despite the recent rain. We improvised with a telescopic sampling pole, a bucket and a hoe to scoop him to safety”.
Aquarius is now recovering and will spend the festive period being cared for at a specialist rescue centre. (Credit: South West Water)
Joe added that the hedgehog appeared cold and slow, prompting the pair to move him to a quiet location and attempt to feed him worms before seeking professional assistance from a local charity.
The two colleagues created a makeshift carrier using a cardboard box and dry vegetation found on the site. They transported Aquarius to the Prickles in a Pickle rescue centre in Stoke Fleming, which is currently caring for approximately 200 hedgehogs.
Judy, the co-founder of the charity, stated that the animal was in a poor condition upon arrival.
“When Aquarius arrived he was very cold, thin, dehydrated and wobbly,” Judy said. “He weighed just 260g. Thanks to Joe and George’s quick thinking, he’s now doing really well! He’s doubled his weight to 540g”.
The hedgehog is currently being treated for internal parasites and an injury to a hind leg. Because of his ongoing recovery, he will remain at the sanctuary through the Christmas period.
George Cane and Joe Martin reunited with Aquarius the hedgehog at the Prickles in a Pickle sanctuary. (Credit: South West Water)
Joe and George recently visited the sanctuary to check on the progress of the animal. Judy noted that Aquarius might not have survived until Christmas, which falls on Thursday, December 25, without their intervention.
Joe said: “It’s made our Christmas knowing Aquarius is on the mend. He’s a tough little character, but let’s hope he’s less ‘adventurous’ in the future!”.
Following the incident, South West Water has implemented additional security measures at the Blackawton tank to prevent other animals from entering the structure. Aquarius is expected to be released back into the wild near his original location in the New Year, which begins on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
Prickles in a Pickle is currently raising funds to build a dedicated hedgehog hospital to expand its capacity.