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UK launches first ever National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy
To combat plummeting hedgehog numbers, a strategy has been developed by leading wildlife charities in consultation with the RHS to identify key threats and provide national guidance
Over 30 diverse organisations have joined forces to create the National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy, which aims to implement the effective changes needed to halt the alarming hedgehog decline seen in the UK over recent decades.
Launched on 14 October 2024, the strategy is the product of two years of cross-sector collaboration, led by the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS).
It identifies key threats to hedgehogs, for conservation NGOs, local councils and Government to address holistically over the next decade in order to rescue one of Britain’s best-loved mammals.
Change is needed to save hedgehogs
Hedgehogs have been in alarming decline in the UK over the last few decades. Previously a widespread garden visitor, this nocturnal native is now classed as vulnerable to extinction in the UK, with fewer than 900,000 individuals estimated to be left. In the 1950s, the UK had an estimated 30 million hedgehogs.
The strategy has been created in response to the State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022 report, which revealed that numbers of native hedgehogs have dropped by between 30-75% in rural areas since as recently as the year 2000.
Habitat loss and fragmentation, declines in invertebrate prey, road traffic, and more intensive farming practices are all thought to have contributed to hedgehogs’ plight in the UK.
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A framework for all hedgehog-related actions
To develop the strategy, BHPS and PTES worked with over 30 leading conservation NGOs, academics, educational institutions, hedgehog rehabilitators, and organisations within the transport and farming sectors, to create a topline, national strategy to inform the change that is desperately needed.
Experts were brought together to identify key threats to hedgehogs and how to overcome them. RHS input into the strategy has been led by RHS Senior Wildlife Expert Helen Bostock.
The strategy will evolve as new research findings become available and will act as a framework and reference point for all actions relating to hedgehogs in Britain. It complements the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme, launched earlier this year by BHPS and PTES, which will provide invaluable data on population changes at a local and national level.
What difference will the strategy make?
Nida Al-Fulaij, co-author of the strategy and CEO of PTES, explains: “By identifying the key threats hedgehogs are facing and how they are all connected, we can better understand the actions needed to address them; but we can’t do this alone.
“The strategy acts as a framework for collaboration between policymakers, conservationists, landowners, rehabilitators and communities. Coordinated efforts nationally, regionally and locally are the only way we can achieve our ambition of halting the decline in hedgehogs, and ensuring that this iconic native species becomes a common sight in our towns and countryside once again.”
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A moment for hedgehogs
RHS Senior Wildlife Expert Helen Bostock, who has been involved in stakeholder workshops to help develop the strategy, says: “This strategy is the first of its kind, reflecting how much of a challenge it has been to put it together. Since hedgehogs are a generalist species that can inhabit a range of environments, they have historically been taken for granted and haven’t had designated habitat provided for them, unlike for many specialist species. That means they were missed out.
“Hedgehogs are everyone’s collective social responsibility. We all need to pull together to assist. The strategy gives a framework to work from – key drivers of decline and where our efforts are best focussed.”
Fay Vass, CEO of the BHPS, adds: “This strategy is a real moment for hedgehog conservation, as we look ahead to another decade where together we can make real change.
“We hope that the National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy will strengthen existing and ongoing conservation efforts, that industries such as transport, housing development and farming scale-up their conservation work with hedgehogs in mind, and that more people are inspired to help in their own gardens and green spaces. By 2034, I hope the future for our hedgehogs is significantly brighter.”
Everyone can make a difference
“Gardeners are a big group that can make a big difference,” says Helen. “Hedgehog numbers in urban areas are starting to stabilise, showing that people are making efforts around allowing freedom of movement, putting out food, and providing natural food sources through the ways they manage their gardens.“With the strategy in place, we may start to see differences as the long-term behavioural changes start to take effect – such as more signage, hedgehog-friendly towns and villages, and more.”
Grace Johnson, strategy co-author and Hedgehog Officer for Hedgehog Street, a campaign between PTES and BHPS, adds: “Encouragingly, the State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022 report indicated that, while rural hedgehog populations are still in decline, hedgehogs in urban areas may be starting to recover, likely thanks to our amazing Hedgehog Champions and the wider public who have made their gardens and local green spaces hedgehog havens.
“We need this urban recovery to continue, but we also need to see this positive trajectory take place in the countryside too, and we hope that by working together we can achieve that.”
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How you can help
While the new strategy is designed for conservation NGOs, local councils, farmers, land managers and Government, there are numerous ways we can all continue to help hedgehogs – especially as autumn sets in and they look ahead to hibernation. For those with a garden, creating 13cm x 13cm square holes in or under a garden fence – known as Hedgehog Highways – to connect neighbouring gardens, is the best starting point. This is crucial as it allows hedgehogs, which are nocturnal, to move between green spaces searching for food, shelter and mates.
Once your garden is connected, creating wild patches, providing water and places to nest such as leaf and log piles or a hedgehog house, are all great ways to help. As autumn draws in, it’s paramount to thoroughly check for hedgehogs before lighting any bonfires or before mowing or strimming the garden. These actions to prevent common accidents will help to address key local threats that were identified in the strategy.
Discover ten easy ways that you can help hedgehogs in your garden in our guide to hedgehog-friendly gardening.
If you don’t have a garden, there are still plenty of ways you can help:
- Contact local councils and developers to highlight the importance of managing public green spaces for hedgehogs, and ask that new-build sites are hedgehog-friendly. You can draw attention to this free guide to developers from Hedgehog Street.
- Raising awareness of the urgent need to help hedgehogs by sharing PTES and BHPS’ guidance and social media posts, and talking with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues about ways they can help hedgehogs, will be invaluable.
- Becoming a volunteer ‘spotter’ for the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme, which can be done from your own home, is a great way to help too.
Read the full National Hedgehog Conservation Strategy here.
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