During the swinging 60s, more than 40 million hedgehogs roamed through the British countryside.
Today that figure stands at less than one million – putting the nation’s most loved mammal in danger of becoming extinct.
The number of hedgehogs has crashed beyond imagination.
So much so, it could soon be placed on the Government’s official extinction risk list.
Experts have shown why the hedgehog is suffering, but little is being done to help save it.
A key factor is the loss of habitat.
Simply, hedgehogs like hedges – and they’ve all but gone.
More than 100,000 hogs are killed on roads.
Hedgehogs don’t run away from danger but curl up into a defensive ball.
Pesticides account for countless deaths as the hogs’ struggle to grub out its basic diet of beetles and worms.
And many deaths happen as lawns and roadside verges are cut by mowers and strimmers.
Despite the bleak future, one local conservation charity is nursing back to health hundreds of hedgehogs.
Over the last year, Hedgehog Welfare took in 219 wounded, abandoned, orphaned, and seriously ill hedgehogs.
A team of volunteer carers successfully treated105 and released them back into the wild.
Sadly, the other 114 died in care or were put to sleep by veterinary doctors.
Sally Key, chief carer for Hedgehog Welfare said:
“It’s heartbreaking how many hogs we lose despite our best efforts.
“Lives could be saved if people paid more attention using strimmers and mowers.
“All it needs is a walk-through long grass before starting cutting.”
During this hot weather we can all help hogs by nightly putting out fresh water.
Also, scatter a few kitten biscuits outside the back door.
Sally said: “Hedgehogs will quickly find these extra treats.
“Before long, they’ll be ‘knocking’ on the door for more.”
Here’s a link for more advice:
