Cat adopts orphaned baby hedgehogs at Russian zoo

July 28 (UPI) -- A caring cat took on the role of mother for a group of orphaned hedgehogs at a zoo in Russia.

Sadgorod Zoo in Vladivostock shared video July 16 of Muska the maternal cat, which cared for the newborn hedgehogs that would not accept food from staff.

The "kind and tender" Muska cuddled with the baby hedgehogs, as they nursed from her milk.

All eight hedgehogs survived, the Siberian Times reported, and Muska continues to care for them, although she occasionally hisses when they prick her with their needles.

Zoo director Alyona Asnovina said there has been an "invasion" of hedgehogs in the Russian Far East this year.