The European Hedgehog
Do you care?
Dangers To Hedgehogs
Quote from Derek of Epping Forest Hedgehog Rescue ''The numbers of urban foxes are out of control. They have become increasingly vicious, fearless and aggressive. We previously thought that hedgehogs would be safe from foxes and only the occasional baby or weak hedgehog was preyed upon. Experiences over the last couple of years has taught us differently. Foxes have learned how to grab hold of and maim or kill hedgehogs. What happens is: See how Derek came to this conclusion CLICK HERE! (Left)- A Hedgehog with a bone sticking though its skin and a gash on the hock joint. (Right)- A Hedgehog with both back legs bitten off. More Information: I think it is important that we are aware that there might be a problem with Foxes and Hedgehogs. Please consider that, in the area where Derek lives, Foxes are a problem without question. He has seen for himself what Foxes have been doing to the Hedgehogs. He also has a video on his forum which is proof to suggest that some Foxes are a problem to Hedgehogs. Please contact me if you have any videos, pictures or anything which backs up Derek's views on Foxes. That way, if we get people from all over Britain with proof that Foxes are a problem to Hedgehogs, then we can be a bit more certain. 
Foxes Are A Danger To Hedgehogs 
The Bonfire Threat
The 5th November is a very dangerous time for Hedgehogs. Before you set them alight, bonfires are a 'Hedgehog Hotel'. They make the ideal shelter for a tired and cold Hedgehog. But when you light your bonfire, you may burn more than one Hedgehog to death.
Solution- There are a few ways you can avoid burning a Hedgehog to death, these are:
-To build your bonfire on the actual night
-To check your bonfire for Hedgehogs
-To move the bonfire before you light it
-To fence the bonfire off. Do this as soon as you build the bonfire otherwise, if you leave it a few Days, then fence it off, when you set it alight you will trap any Hedgehogs in there.
The Garden Fork Threat
Many of you people and Gardeners, may have a compost Heap, which is very good for wildlife as many species may nest or live in it, but may I remind you that when you that digging and turning over your compost heap can kill Hedgehogs! I am sure that they don't want a fork through them, and they may even have babies, which means that if you kill the Female, the babies will die from Hunger, as the Male Father will take no part in bringing up his Hoglets. Or you may kill all of them, what ever happens though it will have a devastating effect on the population of Hedgehogs in your area.
Solution- Well if it is at the breeding time of year (around April to September, although Weather change can cause problems) then there may be Hoglets in there, but in Winter there could also be a Hibernating Hedgehog in there too, so the things that you have got to look for is their tracks. Look for Hedgehog poo, like a black slug, also their footprints, any diggings, all of these things can be found on the Hedgehog Tracks Page. this still might be difficult to look for, so you can always not turn you compost heap over at all, but even turning it over with your hands may disturb a Mother Hedgehog, who may kill or leave the nest if this happens. So my best advice would be to steer clear of a nest site. If you do disturb a nest then you should call a Vet or Hedgehog Rescue!
The Strimmer Threat
Intended for cutting long grass, strimmers are a real number one Danger. Hedgehogs love to sleep, nest and Hibernate in long grass and when someone comes along with a Strimmer, instead of running, they curl up into a tight ball which is not use at all as the strimmer just takes of half their Back! As a result the Hedgehog may die a slow and painful death so please think!
Solution- When you go to strim the grass, please check it with a hand or foot, if you find a Hedgehog and its OK, please put it somewhere safe, if it's a mum and babies keep well away and do not disturb, if you have- call a Hedgehog Rescue! - Or the mum may kill or leave the babies!
Cattle Grid Threat
Many farmers etc may have cattle grids to prevent their cattle from escaping, and no I am not going to ask for you to do a no cattle Grid campaign, as I am sure we don't want cows eating our grass, even though farmers could use Gates to keep Cattle in. You see, these cattle grids are dangerous as the Hedgehog will become stuck in it, and because it may go far down they can't get out! Sometimes they drown as it fills up with water, which is terrible, but like all problems, there is a solution.
Solution- Place a ramp inside leading them to safety. This can be made out of wood and chicken mesh/wire wrapped safely around it for grip, and then a piece of wood that floats at the bottom in case it floods or already has, this they can hang onto and wait till it goes down. Hedgehogs are good swimmers, but will tire and drown after too long.
