Urban Hedgehog Welfare and Garden Hazards

Urban hedgehogs face numerous garden hazards from modern horticultural practices and urban infrastructure, requiring specific actions from householders to improve welfare.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog populations have declined by approximately one third since 2000
Urban hedgehogs can travel 1-2 km per night and require connectivity between gardens
Netting, strimmers, bonfires, ponds and slug pellets kill thousands of hedgehogs annually
Hedgehogs are legally protected - it is an offence to trap, injure or kill them intentionally
Hedgehog highways - small holes in garden fences - allow movement between connected gardens
Road deaths are a significant mortality source for hedgehogs crossing urban roads

Welfare Considerations

Urban hedgehogs suffer preventable deaths and injuries from avoidable garden hazards. Strimmers used in long grass injure hedgehogs sheltering in vegetation. Ponds without exit ramps cause drowning. Netting entangles and strangles hedgehogs. Metaldehyde slug pellets poison hedgehogs. Bonfires built in autumn burn hibernating hedgehogs. Each of these is entirely preventable with simple precautions. Creating connected garden networks through hedgehog highways, removing hazards and providing supplementary food in harsh weather represent practical welfare improvements accessible to any householder.

What You Can Do

Create a hedgehog highway (13x13cm hole) in your garden fencing to allow movement
Check long grass with a stick before strimming, and check bonfires before lighting
Install a shallow dish of water and ramp in any garden pond
Avoid metaldehyde slug pellets - use ferric phosphate pellets or physical barriers
Register your garden on the Hedgehog Street website and encourage neighbours to do the same