THESE cute and fluffy animals were shadows of their former selves when they were found injured in the wild.

Their futures would have been bleak had South Essex Wildlife Hospital not been there to save them.

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The animal hospital rescues and heals 10,000 wild animals from across south Essex every year, but there are so few hospitals of its kind in the country, the charity also takes in animals from across Kent and north London.

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Visitors at the hospital currently include an African pygmy hedgehog, found in a bag of clothes donated to the British Heart Foundation, and wild Dartmore ponies, which have been saved from slaughter.

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Founder of the Orsett-based hospital Sue Schwar said: “No sick, injured or orphaned animal is turned away.

“The cost of food, equipment, fuel, amenity and vets’ bills is met solely by public donations, for which we are extremely grateful.”

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For more information, visit southessexwildlife.org or call 01375 893893.