Wildlife

Wild Hedgehog Decline and Garden Welfare

UK hedgehog populations have declined by 50% since 2000. Gardens represent an important habitat where simple changes can support hedgehog survival and welfare.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog populations have declined from 30 million in the 1950s to around 500,000 today
Hedgehogs travel 1-2 km per night foraging, requiring connected garden networks
Garden fencing prevents hedgehog movement, causing starvation and population fragmentation
13cm diameter holes at ground level in fences allow hedgehog access between gardens
Road mortality kills an estimated 100,000-300,000 hedgehogs annually in the UK

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehog welfare is directly connected to garden management decisions made by millions of UK households. Impermeable fencing, slug pellets, and loss of foraging habitat cause suffering and death at a population level. Conversely, simple garden modifications - hedgehog holes, wild corners, and foraging food provision in hard winters - meaningfully support individual hedgehog welfare.

What You Can Do

Create a 13cm hedgehog hole in fence panels to connect your garden to neighboring habitat
Avoid using metaldehyde slug pellets that harm hedgehogs
Provide supplementary food (wet cat or dog food) during cold winter nights
Join your local hedgehog mapping group to contribute to population monitoring