Hedgehog numbers in sharp decline in Wales

HEDGEHOGS are now so rare in Wales that wildlife watchers are today appealing for any sightings of them – alive or dead.

Hedgehogs have been generally common in parks, gardens and farms throughout Wales for centuries, their spiny bodies making them unmistakable.

But they are now in decline to such a degree that they are dying out at a rate of about a fifth of the population every four years.

According to some researchers, they could be gone altogether as early as 2025.

Isabel Macho, biodiversity officer with Carmarthenshire Council, said: “The hedgehog has recently been added to the list of priority species in the UK, with its own biodiversity action plan.

“Anecdotal evidence suggests that numbers have declined in Carmarthenshire, but our records of their distribution are relatively poor.

“So we are launching a new hedgehog survey encouraging members of the public to report when they have seen the animals – dead or alive.

“We hope that people will let us know when and where they have seen hedgehogs.

“If we can learn more about where they are found, it will help us work out what actions we need to take to conserve them.”

Dr Lizzie Wilberforce, conservation manager with the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, said: “Hedgehogs are an iconic species and give great pleasure to many people who are lucky enough to have them in their gardens. But they face a lot of threats, mainly from man. They can be poisoned by slug pellets and get trapped in dug holes because they can’t climb very well. We want to appeal for sightings anywhere in Wales.”

Elaine and Nigel Acton of Howey Hedgehog Rescue said nearly a quarter of hedgehogs born into the wild died before leaving the nest and around half of the rest did not survive their first hibernation.

“A hoglet must reach 600 grams to hibernate successfully,” said Mr Acton.

“Loss of habitat and fragmentation of habitat is believed to cause badgers and hedgehogs to compete for the same food, therefore the badgers kill the hedgehogs.”

Mrs Acton said: “Hedgehogs like to roam two miles each night, can run at six miles per hour and they are good swimmers – although they can drown.

“There are more walls, decking, paving and garden fences to block their way now than the rambling gardens we used to have. But people can help by lifting fences off the ground and placing ramps in pools.”



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this is sad as in Wales there is so much countryside it is more of a safe place then inner city

See, I would have thought there would be lots in Wales x

and me...unless they are well hidden in the countryside...
i cant remember the last time i saw an alive hedgehog in the wild.

Come to Cheshire - you can share ours x

everyone else always says they seen one...me, havnt for years.

Found one early this year, it was in a sorry state, so thin. The weather conditions meant they came out of hibernation too early, and then we had the cold spell straight after.

Removed the ticks and called the local RSPCA. They took him away too try to fatten him up, said they would return him to the strret once he was better. Not seen him again.

Wales may have a lot of open spaces, but some country folk tend to believe that all animals are on this Earth for their pleasure so kids as young as 10 will go out lamping with their dads to kill the foxes. If cats, badgers or hedgehogs are on the road they are deliberately run over.