European hedgehog classified as 'near threatened' due to sharp population decline

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has updated the conservation status of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) to "Near Threatened," reflecting a sharp decline in their populations across Western Europe. Once classified as "Least Concern," the species is now recognized as "potentially threatened" due to a worrying downward trend in numbers over the past decade.

Western European hedgehogs have experienced a significant decline, with estimates suggesting a decrease of 16 to 33 percent in the last ten years. In several countries, including the United Kingdom and Germany, hedgehog populations have plummeted by more than half. Similar declines have been observed across other host countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Austria.

The causes of this decline are predominantly attributed to human activities. Habitat loss from urban expansion and intensive agricultural practices has fragmented the hedgehog's natural environments, forcing them closer to human settlements. The IUCN stated, "Especially the destruction of rural habitats through intensification of agriculture, roads, and urban development leads to a decline of the Western European hedgehog."

One of the significant threats to hedgehogs is road traffic. With expanding transport infrastructure, hedgehogs increasingly encounter vehicles, often with fatal consequences. The hedgehog's primary defense mechanism—curling into a spiny ball to deter predators—offers little protection against fast-moving cars. Sophie Rasmussen, a researcher at the Wildlife Conservation Research Unit of the University of Oxford, explained, "In front of a car, that's not a very good strategy."

Pesticide use in both agricultural and private gardens poses another substantial threat. Pesticides not only reduce the insect populations that hedgehogs rely on for food but can also directly poison the animals themselves. The decline in insect populations further exacerbates the hedgehogs' struggle for survival, as they are primarily insectivorous. Hedgehogs are considered sympathetic insect eaters, but there is a decline in the insects that constitute a large part of their diet.

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Hedgehogs generally have a short lifespan, living about two years on average, although some have been documented living up to twelve years, and the maximum lifespan can reach sixteen years. They typically reach breeding age at around twelve months and usually give birth to litters of three to five young once a year. Rasmussen indicated that "this means that many hedgehogs reproduce only once, or maybe twice if they're lucky, before they die," which is just enough "to keep the population level." With increasing threats reducing their lifespan and reproductive success, populations struggle to replenish.

Despite the grim statistics, experts believe there is still an opportunity to halt the decline of the Western European hedgehog. Greater efforts and vigilance are necessary for their survival. Conservationists urge the public to engage in wildlife-friendly gardening practices to create safer habitats for hedgehogs. This includes refraining from using pesticides, allowing gardens to grow wild to attract insects, and providing shelter through log piles or specialized hedgehog houses.

An important initiative is the creation of "hedgehog highways." Rasmussen invites homeowners to build these by making small gaps in fences to allow hedgehogs to move freely between gardens during their nocturnal foraging. "The best thing you can do is let your garden grow wild to attract everything a hedgehog needs to feed: insects, earthworms, snails, and slugs," she said. Homeowners are also encouraged to place a small reserve of water and food scraps on the hedgehogs' path.

Dr. Abi Gazzard, programme officer of the IUCN's small mammal specialist group, emphasized that "regional and national action is essential to support hedgehog populations," highlighting initiatives like 'Hedgehog Street' in the UK and 'Danmarks Pindsvin' in Denmark. Conservationists have warned that trend monitoring and conservation efforts are lacking in much of the hedgehog's range.

The European hedgehog holds a special place in public affection. In 2013, it was voted as the UK's most emblematic 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 enter this category the next time we assess it." She added, "It's not like the world is going to collapse tomorrow if hedgehogs disappear, but can we really accept the fact that we are causing their extinction?" She also posed a critical question: "If we let it go so badly with a species that we really care about, what happens with all the species that we don't care about?"

The IUCN Red List, established in 1964, now includes 166,061 species of plants and animals, 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 classification of the European hedgehog as "Near Threatened" serves as a stark reminder of the impact human activities have on wildlife and the responsibility to take action.

With no reliable figures on the total number of hedgehogs remaining, conservationists stress the importance of immediate efforts to safeguard these creatures. Through collective action and increased awareness, there is hope to reverse the declining trend and ensure that the hedgehog remains a cherished part of Europe's natural heritage. Experts believe there is still a chance to stop the decline of the Western European hedgehog population, but greater efforts and vigilance are needed for their survival.

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

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This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq