Hedgehog Road Mortality Reduction

Road deaths are a major cause of hedgehog population decline. Simple mitigation measures can significantly reduce mortality while preserving hedgehog movement between habitat patches.

Key Facts

Road deaths kill an estimated 100,000-335,000 hedgehogs annually in the UK
Hedgehog populations declined by around 50% in rural areas between 2000 and 2020
Animals are most active at night - peak collision time is dusk to midnight
Speed is the primary driver of lethality - reducing speed saves hedgehog lives
Hedgehog fencing and underpasses in new road schemes can reduce mortality significantly

Welfare Considerations

Road collision causes acute traumatic injury. Hedgehogs killed instantly experience minimal suffering, but many are hit and not killed, dying slowly from internal injuries by the roadside. Injured hedgehogs found on roads face stress from handling and frequently do not survive rehabilitation. The cumulative welfare impact of tens of thousands of road deaths is substantial. Mitigation measures - wildlife underpasses, fencing, and reduced night speed limits near known wildlife areas - are evidence-based and cost-effective.

What You Can Do

Drive more slowly through rural lanes at night especially in spring and autumn
Report hedgehog road casualties to the Big Hedgehog Map
Advocate for wildlife underpasses in new road development schemes
Support People's Trust for Endangered Species hedgehog monitoring
Create connecting gaps between garden fences to allow hedgehog movement across habitat patches