Hedgehogs are endangered worldwide: scientists appeal to people

Hedgehogs are listed as "Near Threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, as their numbers have decreased by 30% in most of their range over the past decade. The reason is urban development, transportation, intensive farming, and roads, which have fragmented their habitat.

Hedgehogs also suffer greatly from the use of pesticides, which kill insects that hedgehogs eat and can also directly poison them. The Mammal Society urges people to take care of these spiny little guys by practicing wildlife-friendly gardening, The Guardian reports.

According to scientists, hedgehogs used to be widespread all over the world, particularly in Europe. They were included in the chapter of "least concern" in the red list of endangered species. However, it is precisely because of human activity that they are disappearing.

"Unfortunately, the data points to an alarming and widespread downward trend in hedgehog numbers. The red list assessment emphasizes this. There is still a chance to halt the decline of the Western European hedgehog, and we must strive to prevent further deterioration of its status," said IUCN Program Officer Abi Ghazzard.

The Mammal Society asks people to avoid harmful pesticides when treating gardens and vegetable gardens. People should also leave small gaps in planted areas to allow hedgehogs to move between gardens, and create shelters for these animals with wooden logs.

According to animal rights activists, one in four mammalian species in the UK and Europe as a whole is threatened with extinction, and many others are declining.

"When hedgehogs come up in conversation, someone will soon say that they just don't see them anymore. Our hope is that as hedgehogs become more like distant memories from our childhoods, we will respond with actions that will bring those memories back to life," said Hope Nothelfer, communications officer for the Mammal Society.

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