Often referred to as the nation’s favourite mammal, our British European Hedgehog population is sadly in steep decline.
Recently reclassified as ‘Vulnerable to Extinction’ (2020), research* confirms that in the last 10 years the UK has lost over 1/2 of our rural and 1/3 of our urban Hedgehog population, due to a range of modern environmental factors, loss of natural habitat and road kill ( * PTES / BHPS 2018) Although now legally protected from intentional harm and trapping, casualty numbers are still increasing, with many UK Wildlife Rescues reporting up to 80% rise in admissions and deaths for 2020/21. I’m sure we have all read stories suggesting that certain species and environments have benefitted during this global pandemic, but sadly my colleagues and I are experiencing the opposite, with the highest annual record of acute urban admissions, presenting with multiple injuries from garden machinery / strimmers / traps, bonfires, dog attacks, chemical poisoning, road traffic accidents…. and way too many abandoned hoglets that have failed to thrive, due to the early loss of their mothers through death, accidental destruction of nest sites, loss of access to linked up garden habitat / food, drowning and starvation.
So, to focus on positive solutions, what can WE do to help our spiky friends re-build and thrive within our own gardens and local village community? Here at the HQ of Embsay & Eastby Hogwatch, our work continues to focus on rescue, rehabilitation, education and conservation. We look forward to sharing regular and simple ideas, tips and creative ways to help us all work together in enhancing our beautiful green spaces and preserve our local wildlife. We would like to build a community portfolio of hedgehog and nature inspired themed images and sightings, so please collect any photo’s of visiting hogs, wildlife gardens, hog and bug hotels, artwork, crafts, posters …and bakes!! We’ll post details soon about where to send them and look forward to sharing these in future articles and village displays.
From Vicky and the team.
