Hedgehog sightings in decline across Coventry and Warwickshire

HEDGEHOGS are becoming a rare sight in the region, according to a report.

The Warwickshire Wildlife Trust claimed the chance of seeing a live hedgehog had fallen by up to 40 per cent over the last decade.

Bosses who penned the report after reviewing surveys and local records said figures seen in Coventry and Warwickshire reflected the nationwide picture.

And they are calling on people to send the Trust sightings of hedgehogs - dead or alive - to help build a picture of where they are still present.

The plea coincides with Hedgehog Awareness Week, with the prickly animals typically coming out of hibernation at this time of year.

Stephen Trotter, chief executive of the Trust said: "This is a very worrying situation and we urgently need to collect more information about where hedgehogs are still present so that we can target our conservation efforts where they’re most needed.

"Now that hedgehogs have emerged from hibernation, we’d really like to hear from people who have seen a live hedgehog or even any dead ones on the road.”

The Trust has also launched an appeal to raise funds for hedgehog conservation in Warwickshire.

Mr Trotter added urgent action needed to be taken.

"The hedgehog is one of our most special and wonderful animals – we simply can’t stand by and watch its numbers decline so rapidly.

"We can turn this round but only if we take effective action.

"'Through a programme of exciting events and projects this year, we have plans to raise the funds required, with the help of supporters, sponsors and local schools.

"It is alarming to hear that many of our local children have yet to see a hedgehog - so some of the money that is raised will help to create hedgehog and wild life friendly areas within school grounds - which the children can help to develop and maintain."

Anyone who has seen a hedgehog is urged to email [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Visit [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] for more information or to donate to the cause.

What should you do if you spot a hedgehog in your garden?

Watch this video - [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] - for advice on how to help, thanks to footage filmed in a garden in Whitnash, near Leamington Spa, especially for Hedgehog Awareness Week.



Read more: Hedgehog sightings in decline across Coventry and Warwickshire | Coventry Observer

This is sooo very sad .x