World News for Students of English

25-06-2025 07:00

In northern Italy, Dr. Massimo Vacchetta has opened the country’s first clinic for hedgehogs.

Located in a 300-year-old house in the commune of Novello, the clinic currently cares for around 200 injured or sick hedgehogs. Many suffer from dehydration, broken bones, or infections. Some patients are too weak to survive in the wild again, while others will be released once they recover.

Hedgehogs are very important for nature. They control pests, and their presence shows that the environment is healthy. Sadly, their numbers are falling. They are on the red list of endangered animals because they are killed by cars, gardening tools, or fires. Pesticides and parasites also cause harm.

Dr. Vacchetta and his team try to save every hedgehog, even if it means operating or treating life-threatening conditions. Though hedgehogs may seem strong, they are quite fragile. Many people across Italy now support the clinic, showing that small animals can have a big impact on nature.

Difficult words: dehydration (when the body doesn’t have enough water), pest (an insect or other animal that attacks crops, food, or livestock), fragile (easily hurt or damaged).

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