Wildlife

Wild Hedgehog Urban Population Monitoring

Urban hedgehog populations are now more stable than rural populations in the UK, but require active monitoring to understand trends.

Key Facts

Urban hedgehog populations declined more slowly than rural populations in recent UK surveys
Hedgehog Street survey data from volunteers is the primary source of urban hedgehog population data
Urban food sources including bird food, earthworms and invertebrates support urban populations
Road traffic remains the primary urban mortality cause, killing tens of thousands annually
Garden connectivity through hedgehog holes is a key population driver in urban areas

Welfare Considerations

Urban hedgehogs face distinct welfare challenges from rural populations: higher traffic mortality, exposure to garden chemicals, entanglement in netting and predation from domestic pets. Urban population stability masks individual welfare problems. Connectivity, supplementary food and traffic speed reduction all address urban hedgehog welfare.

What You Can Do

Join the People's Trust for Endangered Species Hedgehog Street campaign
Record hedgehog sightings in the national hedgehog monitoring programme
Connect gardens with neighbours using hedgehog-sized holes in fences
Campaign for 20mph speed limits on residential streets to reduce hedgehog road mortality