European hedgehog classified as critically endangered due to surge in numbers

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has updated the conservation status of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) to “endangered”, reflecting a sharp decline in their population in Western Europe. Once listed as “Least Concern,” the species is now considered “Potentially Endangered” due to an alarming downward trend in numbers over the past decade.

Western European hedgehog populations have declined significantly, with an estimated decline of between 16 and 33 percent over the past ten years. In several countries, including the UK and Germany, hedgehog populations have more than halved. Similar declines were observed in other host countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Austria.

The reasons for this decline are mainly due to human activities. Habitat loss due to urban expansion and intensive farming has led to the fragmentation of hedgehogs’ natural habitat, forcing them closer to populated areas. The IUCN stated: “It is particularly the destruction of rural habitats due to intensified agriculture, roads and urban development that is driving the decline in Western European hedgehog numbers.”

One of the major threats to hedgehogs is road traffic. With the expansion of transport infrastructure, hedgehogs are increasingly encountering vehicles, often with fatal consequences. The hedgehog’s main defense mechanism – curling up into a spiny ball to ward off predators – offers little protection against fast-moving cars. Sophie Rasmussen, a researcher at the University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, explained: “In front of a car, it’s not a good strategy.”

The use of pesticides in both agricultural and private gardens poses another significant threat. Pesticides not only reduce the population of insects that hedgehogs feed on, but can also directly poison the animals themselves. Declining insect populations further exacerbate the hedgehogs’ struggle to survive, as they are primarily insectivores. Hedgehogs are considered insect lovers, but the insects that make up most of their diet are declining.

Hedgehogs tend to have a short lifespan, averaging around two years, although some have been recorded living up to twelve years, and can have a maximum lifespan of up to sixteen years. They typically reach breeding age at about twelve months and typically give birth to three to five young once a year. Rasmussen noted that “this means that many hedgehogs only breed once, or maybe twice if they’re lucky, before they die,” which is enough “to maintain population levels.” With increasing threats reducing their lifespan and reproductive success, the population struggles to replenish itself.

Despite the grim statistics, experts believe there is still room to reverse the decline of the Western European hedgehog. Great effort and vigilance are required for their survival. Conservationists are calling on the public to take up wildlife-friendly gardening to create a safer habitat for hedgehogs. This includes not using pesticides, allowing gardens to grow large to attract insects, and providing shelter with logs or hedgehog houses.

An important initiative is the creation of “hedgehog highways”. Rasmussen suggests homeowners build them by making small gaps in fences to allow hedgehogs to move freely between gardens during night feeding. “The best thing you can do is let your garden run wild to attract everything the hedgehog needs: insects, earthworms, snails and slugs,” she said. Homeowners are also advised to place a small supply of water and food scraps in the path of hedgehogs.

Dr Abi Gazzard, Program Manager for the IUCN Small Mammal Specialist Group, stressed that “regional and national action is essential to support hedgehog populations”, noting initiatives such as Hedgehog Street in the UK and Danmarks Pindsvin in Denmark. Conservationists warn that across much of the hedgehog’s range, there are insufficient efforts to monitor trends and conserve them.

Stay up to date with the latest news!

Subscribe to the Jerusalem Post newsletter

The European hedgehog holds a special place in public affection. In 2013, it was voted Britain’s most iconic mammal in a poll conducted by the BBC, and in 2016 it topped a similar poll organized by the Royal Society of Biology. Its cultural significance underscores the urgency of its conservation.

Rasmussen warned that the European hedgehog is “very close to being ‘vulnerable’ and it is likely that it will fall into that category the next time we assess it.” She added: “It doesn’t mean the world will end tomorrow if hedgehogs disappear, but can we really accept the fact that we are causing their extinction?” She also asked a critical question: “If we do this badly to the species we really care about, what will happen to all the species we care about?”

The IUCN Red List, established in 1964, currently includes 166,061 plant and animal species, tracking their global conservation status. The scale ranges from Least Concern to Extinct, indicating the likelihood of a species becoming extinct in the near future. The European hedgehog’s classification as “endangered” serves as a stark reminder of the impact of human activity on wildlife and the responsibility to take action.

With no reliable data on the total number of hedgehogs remaining, conservationists are stressing the importance of immediate efforts to protect these creatures. Through collective action and increased awareness, there is hope of reversing the declining trend and ensuring that the hedgehog remains a valuable part of Europe’s natural heritage. Experts believe there is still a chance to stop the decline of the Western European hedgehog population, but great effort and vigilance are required for their survival.

Sources: Der Standard, La Croix, France 24, Nature, Süddeutsche Zeitung, El Tiempo, BBC.

This article was written in collaboration with generative artificial intelligence company Alchemiq.