A Krakow-based man has changed his life completely and dedicated himself to protecting Poland’s endangered hedgehog by opening a private shelter in his home.

“How do I look in those eyes? And what? Take it to the first park around the corner for it to freeze to death or for someone to kick it again. There is no way,” maintains Andrzej, explaining why he runs a hedgehog hospital from his home.

Andrzej adds that he carries on, despite a severe lack of funds. The man has appealed both to Krakow city authorities and to environmental protection agencies for money to support his cause, to no effect.

“They tie our hands with legal procedures what make it impossible to provide funds in this case. Taking care of animals, of a protected species, comes under federal administrative competencies, represented here by the regional authorities,” explains Filip Szatanik, press spokesperson for Krakow City Government.

“We do not receive money for this kind of effort. I simply cannot find the money,” claims Jerzy Hertz, regional director of environmental protection, located in Krakow.

While Andrzej was unable to find the money in his southern city, the newly-opened Polish Association for the Protection of Hedgehogs, located in Bialystok, about 500 km from Krakow to the northeast, offered to take in the hedgehogs.

“In order to continue my work, I have to go to the other end of Poland,” stated Andrzej, pledging to, however, continue his work. “I will go there, I will take everything with me, leaving my life behind here. I will go wherever I can take care of hedgehogs, because that is, for me, the most important,” added the man.

The Bialystok association opened at the beginning of September as the first Polish refuge for the endangered animal. The National Forestry Association and Regional Environmental Protection Office have allocated funds for the project. (mmj)