Hedgehog population in decline in south east

8:10am Wednesday 30th January 2013 in News

Hedgehogs are disappearing faster in the south east than any other region in the country.

The dramatic decline has seen 51% fewer reports of the animals in 2012 compared to 2004.

There are up to five per cent fewer of the prickly animals spotted each year.

The trends shows hedgehogs are disappearing as quickly as tigers and, if they were birds, would be given a ‘red alert’ listing.

New figures have been revealed in a ten-year trend analysis by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES).

Surveys officer David Wembridge said: “Continuous monitoring each year is vital to help us build a more complete picture of the state of the UK’s wild mammal populations.”

In an effort to gather more data about hedgehogs, PTES and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society are appealing to volunteers to take part in the Hedgehog Hibernation Survey which starts on February 1.

In its second year the survey is in an attempt to find out more about the creature’s patterns of behaviour, which in turn will help inform practical conservation action.

To join in visit www.hedgehogstreet.org.

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Comments(2)

Juleyanne says...
9:22am Wed 30 Jan 13

Poor hedgehogs, like many other species they are up against it. The casual use of slug pellets and pesticides in our gardens is a factor. Some gardeners just don't seem to realise that by using poisons they affect the whole food chain! Many hedgehogs sadly do not make the correct weight for hibernation, often due to lack of food availability. Hedgehogs need to be able to travel in search for food through gardens and are often stopped by people fencing in their gardens and failure to allow a small space under their fence or walls for the hedghog to climb under and another the other side to allow them access to the adjoining garden. If only people could become wildlife aware and encourage their neighbours to do the same, hedgehogs would benefit hugely. Of course our roads are also responsible for claiming the lives of many and again, drivers especially at dusk/dark could help by reducing their speed and being alert to wildlife crossing.

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nosolution says...
10:12am Wed 30 Jan 13

All very valid points Juleyanne but doesn't expain the dramatic drop in reports and hence probably hedghog numbers in what 8 years.In cases similar to this like the house sparrow decline 20years ago are often caused by disease but then nothing is proved yet ...

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