European Hedgehog Welfare: Road Mortality and Pesticides in the UK (2026)

European hedgehogs have declined by over 50% in the UK since the 1950s, with road mortality, pesticide reduction of invertebrate prey, and habitat fragmentation causing welfare harms and population collapse.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog populations have declined from an estimated 30 million in 1950 to around 1 million today
Road deaths kill an estimated 100,000-335,000 hedgehogs annually in the UK
Hedgehogs require connected habitat — garden fencing without gaps prevents movement between foraging areas
Slug pellets containing metaldehyde (now banned) and some containing ferric phosphate can poison hedgehogs

Welfare Considerations

Hedgehogs struck by vehicles experience traumatic injury — internal haemorrhage, spinal fractures, and prolonged death if not rescued. Road-injured hedgehogs commonly present to rehabilitation centres with head trauma, puncture wounds, and internal injuries requiring intensive care. Hedgehogs that ingest pesticide-poisoned slugs and invertebrates experience secondary poisoning causing neurological symptoms and death. Hedgehogs trapped in garden netting and litter suffer restraint injuries and dehydration. Individual rehabilitated hedgehogs require weeks of care before release, and release sites require connectivity to adequate habitat.

What You Can Do

Cut a 13cm x 13cm gap in the base of garden fences to create hedgehog highways between gardens
Avoid all pesticide use in gardens that hedgehogs forage in to protect invertebrate prey and prevent secondary poisoning
Check grass before mowing and bonfires before lighting to prevent hedgehog injury
Contact British Hedgehog Preservation Society for advice on finding your nearest wildlife rehabilitation centre