Hedgehog Welfare: Decline, Road Mortality, and Garden Hazards

European hedgehogs have declined by up to 75% since the 1950s. Road casualties, garden hazards, and habitat loss create welfare challenges for millions of animals each year.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog populations have declined from an estimated 36 million to under 1 million since 1950
Hedgehogs travel up to 2 km each night searching for food and mates
An estimated 100,000 hedgehogs are killed on UK roads each year
Garden strimmers, bonfires, and netting kill significant numbers of hedgehogs annually
Hedgehogs entering hibernation underweight (below 600g) typically do not survive winter
They are legally protected in the UK — it is illegal to intentionally kill or disturb them

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehogs struck by vehicles often suffer severe traumatic injuries before death. Those entering bonfires or being hit by strimmers typically experience acute, severe pain. Hedgehogs trapped in garden netting or pond escape ramps drown or die of exhaustion. Underweight hedgehogs that begin hibernation are at high risk of dying slowly during winter torpor. Road mortality is greatest in autumn when young hedgehogs disperse to find new territory, and during autumn/spring when males range widely seeking mates. Each of these deaths involves significant acute or prolonged suffering in an already vulnerable population.

What You Can Do

Check bonfires and leaf piles for hedgehogs before lighting them
Create hedgehog highways (13cm gaps in garden fencing) to allow safe movement
Install pond escape ramps and check for hedgehogs before using strimmers
Put out appropriate food (meat-based cat or dog food) and water during autumn for underweight individuals