European hedgehog populations have declined by 50% in rural areas since the 1990s. Garden management, road mortality reduction, and habitat connectivity are critical conservation priorities for this much-loved species.
Hedgehog welfare is primarily affected by habitat fragmentation creating inadequate foraging territory, and direct mortality from human activities. Individual hedgehogs encountering roads face a high probability of vehicle strike because their defensive response is to curl up rather than flee. Slug pellet poisoning causes prolonged suffering before death - affected hedgehogs show muscle tremors and disorientation. Garden strimmer injuries are particularly cruel, causing severe lacerations that require veterinary attention. The welfare solutions at individual garden level are simple and low-cost: cutting a hedgehog highway hole in fences, removing slug pellets, checking bonfire piles before lighting, and strimming during daylight when hedgehogs are resting.