Wildlife

Welfare of Wild Hedgehogs in Decline

European hedgehog populations have declined by over 50% since 2000; their welfare is affected by habitat fragmentation, road mortality, pesticide use, and garden hazards.

Key Facts

European hedgehog numbers have fallen from 30 million to an estimated 1 million
Road mortality kills hundreds of thousands of hedgehogs annually
Garden netting, bonfires, and mowers cause significant hedgehog injuries
Pesticide use reduces the invertebrate prey hedgehogs depend on
Hedgehogs hibernate and face starvation if autumn foraging is disrupted

Welfare Considerations

Wild hedgehog welfare crises are primarily caused by habitat fragmentation and human activity. Simple garden changes can dramatically reduce hedgehog mortality, making this an area where individual actions have outsized welfare impact.

What You Can Do

Create hedgehog holes (13cm x 13cm) in garden fences to allow movement
Check bonfires and dense vegetation before burning or cutting
Never use metaldehyde slug pellets which poison hedgehogs
Provide water and hedgehog food during drought and pre-hibernation autumn periods