A BROMSGROVE hedgehog rescue centre has urged people to make simple changes to help the nocturnal creatures after new figures revealed a sharp drop in population over the last two decades.
According to ‘The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2018’, a report issued by two wildlife charities shows the prickly creatures in rural areas are in severe decline with their numbers plummeting by half since the Millennium.
The report, by British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), is the only comprehensive review of the status of Britain’s hedgehogs.
Willows Hedgehog Rescue in Bromsgrove, run by Jayne Lawrence and Charlie Walker, is dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of the native European hedgehog.
Charlie said: “Hedgehogs have been in decline for last few decades in both rural and urban areas due to changes in farming practices in rural areas.
“This includes larger fields, removal of hedgerow and the use of chemicals to reduce insects and in urban areas with housing development, fragmentation by roads and smaller and tidier gardens often surrounded by gravel boards.
“Many front gardens and hedges have also been lost to provide car parking.
“During recent years awareness from rescues with the public has encouraged many people to help hedgehogs in urban areas however more needs to be done and a lot more needs to be achieved in rural and agricultural areas.”
Whilst the report highlights a worrying decline in the countryside, it shows a more positive outlook for hedgehogs in towns and cities.
Although the species has declined by a third in urban areas since 2000, the rate of decline is slowing.
Hedgehogs are not disappearing from urban green spaces as rapidly as they were 15 years ago and might even be returning.
Emily Wilson, Hedgehog Officer for Hedgehog Street, a public action campaign run by PTES and BHPS, said: “Urban and suburban areas are becoming increasingly important for hedgehogs, so we need more people in those locations to sign up as Hedgehog Champions.
“Hedgehogs are a generalist species, so the more people can do to help them in their own back garden, the more they will also benefit other wildlife.”
People can make simple changes to help hedgehogs in their garden, including creating a log pile both of which will attract insects, provide food and a safe place to nest.
They can also make sure there is a CD sized hole in the fence to allow hedgehogs to visit to find food and make their home.
Visit www.willowshedgehogrescue.co.uk for more information.
