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 Great Britain. In a new report conducted by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) in collaboration with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), the UK hedgehog population has once again been reviewed.
Cate Barrow
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, as they might be hiding away!
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. Yet, the data does show that this decline is slowing in comparison to previous years.
The report discusses why hedgehog numbers have been falling.
“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 far and wide 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.
Tiffany Rogerson, Essex Wildlife Trust’s Landscape Conservation Assistant, has been assisting South Essex Wildlife Hospital with releasing hedgehogs into her own garden that were being supported by the hospital over winter. About her hedgehog restoration work, she explains:
Tiffany Rogerson, Essex Wildlife Trust
“I have been engaging with my local community to encourage them to provide holes in fencing and gravel boards for hogs to be able to roam between gardens, this is really important as hedgehogs can travel around one mile each night in search of food and mates. Allowing hedgehogs to roam between gardens also means they will then have less need to crossroads in search of food. The more we can spread the word to our friends, family and communities we live in, the more we can help to stop the decline of hedgehogs.”
With thanks to South Essex Wildlife Hospital, these hedgehogs were looked after over the harsh winter. Now, Tiffany is able to release these wonderful mammals into her garden, ready to return to their life in the wild.
Tiffany Rogerson, Essex Wildlife Trust
Tom Marshall
Get involved in the conversation about hedgehogs online, using the hashtag: #StateOfHedgehogs
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