This year, hedgehogs are facing significant challenges due to a lack of food, leading to an alarming rise in rescues by animal shelters.
In Reutlingen, Germany, the local animal shelter has imposed multiple intake stops for hedgehogs, with a spokesperson stating, "I've never seen it this bad before." The prickly creatures are finding less food and are often too small and weak to hibernate properly.
So far this year, over 200 hedgehogs have been taken in, cared for, and partially released back into the wild, compared to just 150 for the entire previous year. The main rescue season typically begins in September, but reports of suffering animals have already surfaced in August, often due to injuries from lawnmowers.
The Western European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is now classified as "potentially endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), reflecting a significant decline in their population.
The IUCN attributes this decline to human activities, particularly the destruction of rural habitats through intensified agriculture, road construction, and urban development. Better protection for hedgehogs is urgently needed.
To help these animals, creating a diverse garden can provide food sources, and high-quality cat food in feeding stations can also be beneficial. It is advised to minimize the use of lawnmowers, especially at night when hedgehogs are active. If someone encounters an injured hedgehog, they should seek assistance from a wildlife rescue organization rather than attempting to care for it themselves.