Wildlife Conservation

Hedgehog Decline in UK Towns and Gardens

UK hedgehog populations have declined by over 50% since 2000 in rural areas and are falling in urban areas too. Gardens represent a crucial refuge where individuals can make a real difference.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog numbers estimated to have fallen from 30 million in the 1950s to under 1 million today
Rural declines linked to loss of field margins, hedgerows, and invertebrate prey
Urban hedgehogs face road mortality, garden hazards (netting, pesticides), and habitat fragmentation
Hedgehogs are legally protected in the UK — killing or disturbing them is an offense
Garden fencing that traps hedgehogs and prevents movement is a significant barrier

Welfare Considerations

Road mortality is a common cause of traumatic death for hedgehogs. Entanglement in netting causes slow starvation and distress. Slug pellets containing metaldehyde poison hedgehogs through bioaccumulation. Hibernation disruption from garden fires, leaf blowing, or bonfire clearing causes direct mortality of sleeping animals.

What You Can Do

Cut a 13cm hole in garden fences to create hedgehog highways between gardens
Never use metaldehyde slug pellets — choose ferric phosphate alternatives
Check bonfires before lighting and inspect grass before strimming
Record hedgehog sightings with the Hedgehog Street citizen science program