Is there some hope for Hedgehogs?

A new report, “State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022”, produced by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) reveals that Hedgehogs have declined by between 30% to 75% across different areas of the countryside since 2000 but that they are stabilising in urban areas .... see here.

Photo: Hedgehog at Dervaig on the island of Mull in Argyll

Is there some hope for Hedgehogs?

In 2011, the first “State of Britain’s Hedgehogs” report showed that Hedgehog numbers had been in decline for over a decade. Hedgehogs were put on the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN) Red List as “vulnerable to extinction” in the UK.

In the new 2022 report, the UK Hedgehog population has once again been reviewed.  

The report demonstrates that Hedgehogs are most abundant in the north and east of England. Although Hedgehogs can be found across the country, their numbers are scarce. When conducting night-time surveys, it may be difficult to record a single Hedgehog. This makes it difficult to get an average Hedgehog number for the area.

Urban areas seem to be providing a safe haven for Hedgehogs. A mixture of gardens, amenity grassland and other green space are all deemed refuge areas where Hedgehogs can live relatively safely. Of course, urban areas come with their own challenges and road mortality continues to threaten our Hedgehog populations. Despite this, it is encouraging to see that the Hedgehog populations recorded in urban areas may be recovering. 

However, in rural areas, the picture is less positive. There is strong evidence that Hedgehog numbers continue to decline. In the last two decades, numbers have dropped by between a third and three quarters nationally although the data does show that this decline is slowing in comparison to previous years.

Since I started watching 3 local patch sites close to my home from March 2020, I have only seen one Hedgehog crossing the road on Church Hill on 29th July 2020 (see here). I have also seen, unfortunately, a dead Hedgehog on the rear lawn of the communal garden to the block of flats where I live on 9th May 2021 (see here).

Why are Hedgehogs declining?

The “State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022” report discusses this.

“Hedgehogs have existed here for at least half a million years. But they might not survive in our natural environment for many more. Britain is one of the most nature-depleted nations in the world and wildlife continues to be lost. The reasons for the decline in Hedgehog populations, apparent in the last twenty or more years, aren’t fully understood yet. Pointing the finger at a single cause, such as predation by Badgers or road casualties, likely misses the bigger, more complex picture.”

As Hedgehogs roam widely for their food, mates and nesting sites, it is important that they can travel safely. Together, we can continue to help Hedgehogs live safely alongside us by creating Hedgehog holes in our fences to allow safe passage in between gardens, making our gardens Hedgehog-friendly by creating a compost heap or log pile and by creating a refuge in the form of a Hedgehog house.

In addition to the “State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022” report, the following book written by Hugh Warwick and published by Graffeg is highly recommended .... The Hedgehog Book

Photo: Hedgehog at the British Wildlife Centre, Surrey

Photo: Hedgehog at the British Wildlife Centre, Surrey

Photo: Hedgehog at the British Wildlife Centre, Surrey

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