Hedgehog Welfare in Urban Gardens and Suburban Habitats

Hedgehogs have declined by over 50% in rural Britain since 2000, but urban garden populations offer a conservation refuge — with welfare implications shaped by garden design and human behaviour.

Key Facts

UK hedgehog populations have fallen from an estimated 36 million in the 1950s to under 1 million today
Urban hedgehogs are now more abundant than rural populations in many parts of England due to less pesticide use and predation pressure
Garden hazards including slug pellets, strimming, bonfires, swimming pools and litter cause significant hedgehog mortality
Connectivity between gardens through hedgehog holes in fences is critical — hedgehogs range 1-2 km per night

Welfare Considerations

Urban hedgehog welfare is directly shaped by individual garden management decisions — creating a rare opportunity for meaningful individual action at scale. Metaldehyde and methiocarb slug pellets cause direct poisoning and reduce hedgehog prey populations. Bonfire construction and strimming cause horrific injuries. Swimming pool drowning is a significant but invisible mortality source. Each garden that installs hedgehog-friendly features contributes to network-level population welfare.

What You Can Do

Install 13cm x 13cm gaps in all garden fencing to allow hedgehog movement
Switch to wool pellet or copper tape slug deterrents and never use metaldehyde or methiocarb pellets
Check bonfires for hedgehogs immediately before lighting; build bonfires the same day they are lit
Provide fresh water and supplementary food (hedgehog-specific food or wet cat/dog food) in autumn