Wildlife Welfare

Wild Hedgehog Garden Connectivity and Welfare

Hedgehog populations in the UK and across Europe have declined dramatically, and garden connectivity through hedgehog-friendly fencing is one of the most impactful community-level solutions.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog populations have declined by over a third since 2000
Garden fences and walls create fragmented habitat that prevents feeding and mating
A 13cm x 13cm gap at the base of fences allows hedgehog movement
The Hedgehog Street campaign has created over 200,000 registered hedgehog-friendly gardens
Road mortality remains the largest documented cause of hedgehog death

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehogs need large territories to find sufficient food, mates and suitable nesting sites. Fragmented gardens create isolated populations with limited genetic diversity and high starvation risk. Simple fencing modifications costing nothing can dramatically improve hedgehog survival and welfare. Connected garden networks support viable hedgehog populations even in urban areas.

What You Can Do

Cut a 13cm hole in your garden fence to create a hedgehog highway
Register your garden with the Hedgehog Street project
Avoid using slug pellets containing metaldehyde or methiocarb that can poison hedgehogs