Urban Wildlife

Urban Hedgehog Road Safety

Road mortality is the leading cause of hedgehog death in urban environments, contributing to population decline.

Key Facts

An estimated 100,000 hedgehogs are killed on UK roads annually
Urban hedgehogs have smaller territories than rural hedgehogs
Garden boundaries prevent hedgehog movement making roads the only corridor
Speed reduction and wildlife crossings reduce hedgehog road mortality

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehogs struck by vehicles experience traumatic injury causing death or severe suffering. Their defensive ball-rolling response to approaching vehicles is the opposite of an effective anti-traffic survival strategy. Urban habitat fragmentation forces hedgehogs to cross roads more frequently. Hedgehog highways through garden boundaries and speed reduction near known hedgehog habitat reduce mortality.

What You Can Do

Create hedgehog highways through garden boundaries with neighbors
Drive slowly at night in residential areas during hedgehog active season
Support hedgehog highway initiatives in your neighborhood
Install hedgehog-friendly garden design features