Wildlife

Hedgehog Garden Welfare: Supporting Urban and Suburban Populations

Hedgehog populations have declined by over 70% in the UK since the 1950s. Gardens are increasingly important refuges, and simple actions by householders can make a significant difference.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog numbers have fallen from an estimated 36 million in 1950 to under 1 million today
Road deaths kill an estimated 100,000-350,000 hedgehogs annually
13cm diameter holes in garden fences allow hedgehog movement between gardens
Hedgehogs need territories of 10-20 hectares requiring multiple connected gardens
Slug pellets containing metaldehyde were banned in the UK in 2022
Hedgehogs are Britain's only native spiny mammal and an important insectivore

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehog populations are in crisis and many suffer preventable deaths from trapping in garden netting, ingestion of toxins, and starvation due to habitat fragmentation. Individual welfare problems include animals trapped in steep-sided ponds, entangled in garden netting, and burned in garden bonfires. Gardens that provide safe movement corridors, supplementary food, and refuges from hazards directly improve both individual welfare and population viability.

What You Can Do

Make a 13cm hole in garden fences to allow hedgehog movement (Hedgehog Street campaign)
Check bonfires and compost heaps before disturbing them
Cover steep-sided ponds or provide escape ramps
Avoid using pesticides that reduce invertebrate prey
Provide supplementary food (specialist hedgehog food or wet cat food) in autumn