Wildlife

Hedgehog Monitoring and Population Research

Hedgehog populations in the UK have declined dramatically, and monitoring is essential for understanding and reversing this trend.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog populations declined from around 30 million in the 1950s to under 1 million today
The Hedgehog Street project has coordinated population monitoring through volunteer surveys
Garden hedgehog populations are declining at around 8% per year in rural areas but recovering in some urban areas
Hedgehog monitoring uses footprint tunnels, camera traps, and systematic road count surveys
Research is revealing the importance of connectivity between gardens for hedgehog populations

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehog population monitoring is essential for evidence-based conservation action. Volunteer participation in monitoring programmes provides data that directly improves conservation outcomes and individual animal welfare.

What You Can Do

Join Hedgehog Street and the Big Hedgehog Map to report hedgehog sightings
Put a hedgehog hole in your garden fence and encourage neighbours to do the same
Participate in volunteer monitoring surveys using footprint tunnels and camera traps
Create hedgehog habitat with log piles, compost heaps, and native planting
Donate to hedgehog rescue centres and conservation research programmes