Wildlife Welfare

Urban Hedgehog Connectivity and Garden Corridors

Hedgehog populations in UK towns and cities depend on connected garden networks to find food, mates, and safe nesting sites, with garden walls and fences being major barriers.

Key Facts

Urban hedgehog populations have declined by 30-75% since the year 2000
A 13cm square hole in fences allows hedgehog passage between gardens
GPS tracking shows hedgehogs travel 2-3km per night when corridors exist
Impermeable fencing fragments populations and reduces genetic diversity
The Hedgehog Street campaign has created over 100,000 garden access holes

Welfare Considerations

Isolated hedgehogs in small gardens face food scarcity, inability to find mates, and inability to escape hazards. Connected garden networks are essential for hedgehog survival and wellbeing in urban environments.

What You Can Do

Create a 13cm access hole in your garden fence or wall
Join the Hedgehog Street campaign and register your 'hedgehog highway'
Provide supplementary food and a safe nesting site in your garden