Wildlife

Hedgehog Population Decline and Welfare

Hedgehog numbers have declined dramatically in the UK, with road traffic, habitat loss, and garden practices among key causes.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog numbers have fallen from 36 million in the 1950s to under 1 million today
Hedgehogs travel up to 2km per night foraging for food
Badger predation is a natural pressure but not the primary cause of decline
Pesticides reduce invertebrate food availability for hedgehogs
Hedgehog-friendly garden features significantly support local populations

Welfare Considerations

Declining hedgehog populations mean fewer individuals living longer, healthier lives in appropriate habitat. Road casualties are particularly welfare-relevant, with injured hedgehogs often dying slowly. Hedgehogs with access to connected gardens, pesticide-free lawns with invertebrate prey, and safe hibernation sites have significantly better survival and reproductive success. Small changes by many gardeners cumulatively create meaningful habitat improvements.

What You Can Do

Create a hedgehog-sized hole (13cm x 13cm) in your garden fence
Leave areas of your garden wild with leaf litter and log piles for nesting
Avoid slug pellets and pesticides that reduce hedgehog food and can poison them directly
Drive carefully at night especially in autumn when hedgehogs cross roads
Contact British Hedgehog Preservation Society if you find an injured hedgehog