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Hogwatch submission of 6 December 2021

PE1888/B: Full legal protection for hedgehogs and moles

Hedgehog numbers in Britain have fallen from an estimated 30 million in the 1960s to just 1.5 million in recent years and numbers continue to decline. The serious declines in hedgehog numbers across Britain resulted in them being added to the list of JNCC priority for conservation action species in 2007. However, the Scottish biodiversity list categorises hedgehogs in the “Watching Brief Only” category. This means hedgehogs are considered of “less concern” and only require monitoring, rather than active management to prevent further declines at present. Considering the considerable declines already shown by current estimates it would seem like an active approach may be more appropriate.

Hedgehogs are a recognisable and charismatic species, voted the UKs favourite wild animal and as such are of interest to members of the public, particularly due to their relative abundance in urban environments. The Conservation Volunteers (TCVs) own Citizen Science Scheme “Hogwatch Scotland” in partnership with the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, is focused on the recording and protection of hedgehog numbers in Scotland. The project has engaged 147 volunteers since it began in 2019, and has recorded over 400 sightings. From July 2020 – July 2021 nearly 60 community groups and schools took part in online training in the use of mammal footprint tunnels as a survey technique for monitoring hedgehogs. In addition, through public events and education activities in schools we have reached a many more people across Scotland to raise awareness of hedgehogs and their decline, as well as educate individuals on actions they can take to protect them.

Our partners at the British Hedgehog Preservation Society comment:

“Hedgehogs have declined by around a third in urban areas and a half in rural areas since the year 2000. The main driving factors are believed to be fragmentation of habitat due to intensification of farming leading to loss of hedgerows, and housing development with impermeable boundaries; and roadkill. Greater legal protection for hedgehogs would allow their habitats to be protected through the introduction of obligatory maintaining of hedgerows and creation of hedgehog highways.”

Comments from School Teachers who have taken part in our Hedgehog Friendly Schools” Session:

“Its amazing to see the pupils looking at things they see every day in the playground in a totally different way, they are so engaged in the activities and thinking about how they can protect the hedgehogs”

“I was truly amazed at the knowledge that the children were able to recollect and the joy they felt in sharing their learning with their classes and families. They have shown great interest in learning about the different wildlife etc and watching things grow in our nature garden. I loved that we were all learning new things. I learned several new things about hedgehogs and trees last week too.”

School Pupils involved in the project said :

“I liked finding the hedgehog hazards, so now when we see them, we can move them or put better things in place to make sure hedgehogs are safe”

“I’m going to make my garden more friendly for hedgehogs too!”

Comments from community group members who are involved with the project:

“Working with HogWatch we were able to learn more about gardening for hedgehogs, transform our space and together release hoglets after Winter on our land working with a local rescue centre’ – Langside Community Group”

“We have a perfect site for hedgehogs and have not found the support available to help us work towards safer habitat and a public awareness campaign for deaths on the roads in our area, we found HogWatch Scotland online and look forward to working together.”The level of engagement TCV receives from the public regarding this project indicates that the public and local communities have an interest in protecting hedgehogs. Increasing the level of protection afforded to hedgehogs in Scotland and raising awareness about their conservation could drive conservation efforts from the public, particularly in urban settings. Encouraging people to take wildlife friendly actions and increasing habitat connectivity would not only benefit hedgehogs but would benefit urban nature in general.