Conservationists have warned that hedgehogs are listed as “near threatened” and 38% of the world’s species are at risk of extinction.
The status of hedgehogs in Western Europe has worsened and as such have been placed on the “Red List” meaning they are at a real threat of becoming extinct globally.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) warned numbers have shrunk in many countries in Europe over the past 10-years.
Dr Abi Gazzard, programme officer of the IUCN’s small mammal specialist group, said, “Regional and national action is essential to support hedgehog populations, through initiatives such as ‘Hedgehog Street’ in the UK and ‘Danmarks Pindsvin’ in Denmark.”
Nida Al-Fulaij, chief executive for People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), warned populations of hedgehogs are struggling across the UK’s countryside.
“The news that European hedgehogs have been reclassified by the IUCN as Near Threatened globally raises the alarm for this much-loved native species across their range,” she said.
Fay Vass, chief executive of British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), said, “I’d encourage everyone to help where they can, as small, simple actions can have a huge impact on habitat availability, connectivity, and quality, which is crucial for their long term survival.”
Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN director general, said, “Trees are essential to support life on Earth through their vital role in ecosystems, and millions of people depend upon them for their lives and livelihoods.”
