Hedgehog Mortality on UK Roads | Animal Welfare Hub

Road traffic casualties are a significant cause of hedgehog mortality in the UK, contributing to a population decline of over 50% in rural areas since 2000.

Key Facts

An estimated 335,000 hedgehogs are killed on UK roads annually
Hedgehogs forage widely - males may travel 2-3 kilometres per night - crossing roads repeatedly
Road casualties disproportionately affect male hedgehogs during breeding season when movement is highest
Hedgehog mortality peaks in spring (breeding) and autumn (fattening for hibernation)
Wildlife tunnels under roads have been shown to effectively allow hedgehog passage without road crossing
Rural hedgehog populations have declined faster than urban populations, where traffic may be lower in some areas

Welfare Considerations

Road traffic represents one of the most significant preventable causes of hedgehog mortality and welfare harm in the UK. Individual hedgehogs struck by vehicles typically die from severe blunt trauma. At the population level, road mortality contributes to population fragmentation that reduces genetic diversity and resilience. Road infrastructure changes, wildlife-friendly road design, and reduced speed limits in hedgehog areas are the most impactful interventions.

What You Can Do

Drive slowly on rural roads at night, particularly in spring and autumn when hedgehog movement peaks
Create hedgehog highways in your garden by cutting 13x13cm holes in fences to allow safe travel
Support hedgehog rescue organisations caring for injured road casualty hedgehogs
Advocate for wildlife-friendly road design including tunnels and crossing points in new developments
Report hedgehog road casualties to the People's Trust for Endangered Species national monitoring scheme