Wildlife

Wild Hedgehog Road Mortality

Road traffic is one of the leading causes of hedgehog mortality in the UK, with an estimated 100,000 or more killed on roads annually.

Key Facts

Hedgehogs have historically rolled into a ball as a defence against predators
Rolling into a ball provides no protection against vehicle strikes
Male hedgehogs roam widely during the breeding season, crossing many roads
Underpasses and wildlife tunnels significantly reduce road mortality
Road mortality compounds other population pressures including habitat loss

Welfare Considerations

Road kills cause traumatic, painful deaths and are a major driver of hedgehog population decline. Infrastructure solutions can substantially reduce this mortality.

What You Can Do

Drive carefully at night especially in hedgerow-rich areas
Support wildlife crossing and underpass schemes in new road developments
Install hedgehog highways through garden fences to reduce road crossing
Report hedgehog sightings and road casualties to citizen science schemes