London’s hedgehogs are in trouble, with the city’s population falling by nearly a third since 2000. We need to act fast to reverse this decline, but we can only do this with practical action, such as creating Hedgehog highways. Due to loss of natural habitat, the west European hedgehog, once common, is now vulnerable to extinction in the UK.
Ealing Wildlife Group hope to reverse this shocking decline. Ealing’s hedgehogs will thrive if they are able to connect to suitable habitat through the borough. The big issue they plan to address is barriers to movement. By adding more fences and busier roads it makes it harder for hedgehogs. Things like to hunt for food and find a mate, while also making movement are difficult without connecting routes.
For the past five years, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has thoroughly conducted hedgehog surveys across London through their London Hogwatch project. Thanks to the efforts of the dedicated Ealing Wildlife Group fundraiser, Sandra, who secured the necessary grants. With this funding the Ealing Wildlife Group have partnered with ZSL to extend their important work to areas in Ealing.
Phase 2 of the Hedgehog highways is now rolling out and ZSL will set up around 30 cameras in selected parks around the Ealing borough. This is because hedgehogs this time of year are out and about, eating as much as they can before they hibernate. After two weeks, ZSL will check all the footage to see the activity. As part of this project, Ealing Wildlife Group is doing a series of family-friendly habitat creation events around Ealing Borough. Events in Northala Fields and Acton Park have already been completed in March.
Hedgehog habitat creation & highways
Ealing Wildlife Group hosts a family-friendly habitat creation events around Ealing Parks. Come along and help our hedgehogs by creating an attractive habitat and home for them. To check for the latest events go to Ealing Wildlife Group Events.
To support and to keep up to date with this project, go to the Ealing Wildlife Group.
Hedgehogs: Key Players in Biodiversity
- Average lifespan: 2-3 years in the wild (maximum life expectancy is 10 years).
- Hedgehogs are omnivores, eating whatever they can get into their mouths, including slugs, millipedes, earthworms, beetles, caterpillars and other insects, as well as supplementary fruits and mushrooms.
- Hedgehogs follow their food and like to live in woodland edges, hedgerows and suburban habitats. This means they are common to gardens, parks and farmland across the UK.
- It is estimated that since 2002 the UK has lost around 30-50% of its hedgehog population, and the animal is now listed as a Species of Principal Importance for Biodiversity in the UK.
For more information on this project go to Hedgehogs need our help.
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