THE first ever national Hedgehog Housing Census has been launched to help combat the ongoing decline in native hedgehog population numbers.
The census was launched by Hedgehog Street, a nationwide campaign set up by wildlife charities the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES).
This survey is in partnership with the University of Reading and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust.
Between now and the October 31, the Hedgehog Housing Census aims to answer several questions about how hedgehogs live and their use of artificial hedgehog houses.
The results will help the Hedgehog Street team find out what the best type of hedgehog house is and how they can be used to support the conservation of these animals.
The information will be gathered via an online survey, and the data will then be analysed by scientists at the University of Reading over the winter months. It is hoped the results will be published in spring 2018.
Since its creation in 2011, Hedgehog Street has over 44,000 volunteers, known as Hedgehog Champions, pledging to help save the nation’s favourite mammal.
The Hedgehog Street team is keen to hear from anyone who has a hedgehog house in their garden and isn’t already a Champion.
Visit: www.hedgehogstreet.org/housingcensus
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