Wildlife

Hedgehog Decline: Causes and Conservation

UK hedgehog populations have declined by over 50% since the 1950s, with road mortality, habitat loss, and pesticide use among the leading causes.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog population fell from 30 million in the 1950s to under 1 million today
Road traffic kills an estimated 100,000-335,000 hedgehogs annually in the UK
Intensive farming has reduced hedgerow habitat critical for foraging and nesting
Slug pellets containing metaldehyde poison hedgehogs that eat affected slugs

Welfare Considerations

Individual hedgehog welfare suffers from road injuries, poisoning, and entanglement in garden netting. Road-struck hedgehogs often survive initial impact with internal injuries requiring veterinary care. Metaldehyde poisoning causes convulsions and death. Garden hazards including bonfires, compost heaps, and garden machinery kill thousands annually.

What You Can Do

Create hedgehog highways by cutting 13cm gaps in garden fences to allow movement
Check compost heaps and bonfire piles before disturbing them
Use wildlife-safe slug control — copper tape and biological nematodes rather than pellets
Support the Hedgehog Street campaign connecting gardens for hedgehog populations