Wild Hedgehog Welfare UK | Animal Welfare Hub

British hedgehog populations have declined dramatically, with remaining individuals facing multiple welfare threats including habitat fragmentation, road traffic, and agricultural intensification.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog numbers have declined by approximately 30% in rural areas since 2000
Road traffic is a major cause of individual hedgehog mortality causing traumatic injury and death
Garden hazards including netting, strimmers, and bonfires cause preventable welfare harm to hedgehogs
Hedgehog hibernation welfare depends on adequate fat reserves from autumn foraging
Slug pellets containing metaldehyde, now banned, directly harmed hedgehogs through secondary poisoning

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehog welfare at individual and population level is deteriorating in the UK. Road casualties cause traumatic death; garden hazards cause injuries requiring rehabilitation; habitat fragmentation reduces foraging range and winter food availability needed for hibernation weight gain. Every hedgehog that enters winter underweight risks death during hibernation. Simple garden management changes by millions of householders would collectively make a significant welfare difference.

What You Can Do

Create hedgehog highways by making 13cm holes in garden fences to enable movement
Check bonfires and leaf piles before lighting to prevent hedgehog casualties
Avoid netting at ground level where hedgehogs can become entangled
Support hedgehog rehabilitation centres and population monitoring organisations