The hedgehog – the nation’s favourite mammal – is slipping towards extinction.

No more than 60 years ago the hedgehog population in Britain was 30 million.

That number is now estimated to be less than one million hogs roaming wild.

It’s the largest loss seen among the nation’s myriad of wildlife.

The rapidly declining population is seen as a “quiet crisis” among conservation groups.

This week is National Hedgehog Awareness week.

Its aim is to show how the hog is teetering on the edge of extinction, and what can be done to help.

Hedgehog Welfare – a charity based in Newark and Grantham – cares for hundreds of hedgehogs in a year.

Many have been injured by “careless” gardeners who mow lawns and strim long grass before checking.

Sally Key, lead carer at Hedgehog Welfare, said:

“It only takes a couple of minutes to check if the ground is clear.

“But people don’t.

“The result is hogs come to us severely injured.

“Our carers try their best but many hedgehogs have to be put down”.

Each year Hedgehog Welfare, founded by conservationist Janet Peto, takes in hundreds of the mammals.

Not all are a lost cause – far from it.

More than half are nursed back to health and returned to the wild.

Dwindling numbers can be contributed to a loss of the rural hogs’ natural habitat.

Also, the development of large housing estate lacking built-in “hedgehog highways” between gardens.

Hedgehogs also fall victim to poison laid out for vermin, casually tossed aside garden netting, and dogs.

And, they don’t have much road sense.

It’s natural reaction to danger is to curl up in a ball – not run away.

There are road signs in and around Newark warning drivers about roaming hedgehogs.

Ms Key said: “Simple steps can help save hedgehogs.

“Look before you mow, don’t leave netting lying around the garden, check piles of wood and compost heaps before rooting around with spades and forks.

“A lot of hogs we receive are baby ones.

“Once a nest is disturbed the mother will run off and not return.

“Also, it helps to put out a bowl of fresh water and scatter a few kitten biscuits around the garden

“If hedgehogs are nearby, they’ll soon be at your back door – and that’s a rewarding sight.”

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