The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022 report, published today (Monday, 17th October) by hedgehog charity, People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), reveals more than half of the British public (58%) believe hedgehog numbers have declined in their local area in the last five years.

This figure is supported by the results of the Big Hedgehog Survey 2021, which saw a 30% fall in the number of hedgehogs recorded by the public compared with the 2018 Big Hedgehog Survey.

The report highlights that the causes of the hedgehog’s decline are still not fully understood, but the combination of factors such as habitat loss, urbanisation, pesticides, roads, and climate change, are all thought to be contributing.

To help save the hedgehog, PTES is asking the public to:

* Record sightings via the Big Hedgehog Survey

* Create holes in fences to allow hedgehogs to move freely

* Reduce their use of pesticides

* Build ‘hedgehog highways’ by creating small holes under fences and boundaries to connect gardens

* Leave out food and water for hedgehogs