Wild Hedgehog Welfare and Garden Safety

Urban hedgehog populations are declining rapidly. Simple garden modifications can dramatically improve hedgehog welfare and support population recovery in urban and suburban environments.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog populations have declined by over 50% since 2000, with urban populations declining faster than rural
Bonfire and strimmer injuries are among the most common causes of hedgehog mortality and injury
Garden netting entangles hedgehogs that die slowly from injuries and starvation
Slug pellets containing metaldehyde and iron phosphate poison hedgehogs that eat affected slugs
Connected gardens with hedgehog holes in fences create the larger territories hedgehogs need
Supplementary feeding with cat or dog food during dry periods supports hedgehog welfare directly

Welfare Considerations

Urban hedgehog welfare depends significantly on what happens in gardens. Entanglement in netting, bonfire mortality, strimmer injuries, and slug pellet poisoning cause direct welfare harm that simple behaviour changes can prevent. Positive interventions including hedgehog-friendly fencing, supplementary feeding in dry weather, and undisturbed leaf piles for hibernation support hedgehog welfare and population recovery. Gardens collectively represent a significant and accessible welfare intervention point for this declining species.

What You Can Do

Create a hedgehog hole in your garden fence to allow movement between gardens
Check bonfires for sheltering hedgehogs before lighting and always build on the day of burning
Avoid using slug pellets and switch to physical slug control methods instead
Leave a section of garden wild with leaf litter for hedgehog foraging and shelter
Provide supplementary food including cat or dog food and fresh water during dry summers