Urban Hedgehog Welfare and Conservation

Hedgehogs have declined dramatically in British gardens and urban areas, and those that remain face numerous welfare threats from human activities and habitat fragmentation.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog populations have declined by over 50% since the 1990s
Hedgehogs travel up to 2km per night in search of food and mates
Garden netting causes severe injuries and deaths through entanglement
Slug pellets containing metaldehyde are toxic to hedgehogs
Hedgehog highways - 13cm square gaps in garden fences - allow movement between gardens

Welfare Considerations

Urban hedgehogs face welfare challenges on multiple fronts. Physical hazards including garden netting, strimmers, bonfires, and ponds cause injuries and deaths throughout the year. Chemical hazards from rodenticides and pesticides poison hedgehogs directly or deplete their insect food supply. Habitat fragmentation forces hedgehogs to cross roads, resulting in significant mortality. Injured hedgehogs require specialist care from licensed wildlife rehabilitators and should not be kept as pets.

What You Can Do

Create hedgehog highways between gardens in your neighbourhood
Check for hedgehogs before using strimmers or lighting bonfires
Remove or stake garden netting when not in use
Contact a local hedgehog rescue if you find an injured or underweight hedgehog
Provide supplementary food (wet cat food or dog food) and fresh water