Latest Appeal

Are we Driving Hedgehogs to Extinction?

Sadly, hedgehog populations are now so low that we rarely see them, even squashed ones on the side of the road. However, we know that vehicles are still one of the main threats to hedgehog conservation. 

Together with People’s Trust for Endangered Species and British Hedgehog Preservation Society we are undertaking a national study of hedgehog roadkills with the aim of building a true picture of the impact cars have on our already dwindling hedgehog population.

The study, in a nutshell

A large body of data on hedgehog roadkill has been collected over the last seven years. We are currently analysing this data, with a view to gaining a better understanding of:

• habitat features associated with hedgehog roadkill;
• road features which might impact roadkill numbers;
• periods in the year when roadkill is likely to more prevalent;
• environmental factors which may have an influence.

How you can help

We need to raise £1,500 to fund part of the research. Can you help? To make a donation (however small) please click here.

Thank you!

The Mammal Society receives no central government funding for our core work so we rely on public donations to continue important work such as this study.

We have other exciting projects in the pipeline, don’t forget you can still donate or  support us in other ways to help fund our wider work in conserving UK mammals.

Past appeals:

Help our Hedgehogs Appeal

Hedgehogs are one of our most appealing and best loved mammals but are currently experiencing a long term decline. Part of the reason for this decline is loss of habitat. Hedgehogs are now increasingly taking refuge in sub-urban habitats including gardens, where they are often welcomed and fed by members of the public, and where they also often come into contact with artificial light. Artificial light is known to have major ecological impacts, disrupting the behaviour of a range of vertebrate and invertebrate species, so it is important to understand how lighting may be affecting Britain’s favourite mammal. The Mammal Society are conducting the Hedgehog and Lighting Project investigating the effects of artificial lighting on the feeding habits of hedgehogs, using camera traps to film hedgehog visits to feeding stations.

Save the Water Vole

Every year, many miles of habitat occupied by water voles is cleared by strimming. The idea is that water voles will move out of areas designated for development, and create new burrow systems elsewhere.

However, rather than moving animals from a dangerous construction site, there is a risk that the voles simply stay in the bare habitat, risking death from starvation or predation.

From mid-August 2016, the Mammal Society worked alongside WildCRU at the University of Oxford to assess the threat posed to water vole populations by strimming, and attempt to identify workable solutions. The results of this work will be acted on by Statutory Nature Conservation Organisations.

To find out more about the project, please visit the WildCRU website here.

Our Water Vole Mitigation Handbook provides guidance on the recent changes in licensing requirements for water vole mitigation and is now available from NHBS here.