Saving Hedgehogs
Preventing Roadkill on Our Roads
Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s most beloved wild animals. Sadly, their numbers are in steep decline, and roadkill is a major factor. Thousands of hedgehogs are killed on UK roads each year, particularly in summer and autumn when they are most active. By taking practical steps, we can protect hedgehogs and help them survive for future generations.
Meet the Hedgehog
Hedgehogs are instantly recognisable, with their round bodies covered in sharp spines and their curious habit of curling into a ball when threatened. They are gentle, nocturnal wanderers, often spotted in gardens, fields, and hedgerows.
Hedgehogs play a vital role in the ecosystem:
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Natural pest controllers – They eat slugs, beetles, caterpillars, and other invertebrates.
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Garden allies – By feeding on garden pests, they help reduce the need for pesticides.
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Indicator species – Their decline signals wider issues in the health of our countryside.
Sadly, as habitats shrink and roads expand, hedgehogs face deadly risks. Their slow-moving, defensive nature puts them at particular danger on our roads.
Why Hedgehogs Are So Vulnerable to Roadkill
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They roam widely – Hedgehogs may travel 1–2 miles a night searching for food or mates, leading them to cross roads.
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Poor eyesight – They rely on smell and sound, not vision, making it harder to detect cars.
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Defensive behaviour – Instead of running from danger, hedgehogs curl into a ball, leaving them defenceless against vehicles.
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Fragmented habitats – Roads cut through hedgerows and green spaces, forcing hedgehogs to cross unsafe surfaces.
How We Can Reduce Hedgehog Roadkill
1. Wildlife Crossings
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Build hedgehog highways – small tunnels or underpasses beneath roads to allow safe passage.
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Install drop kerbs and ramps to help hedgehogs escape from drains and curbs they cannot climb.
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Use fencing to guide hedgehogs towards safe crossings.
2. Hedgehog-Friendly Verges and Hedgerows
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Maintain continuous hedgerows alongside roads to give hedgehogs cover and discourage direct crossings.
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Manage roadside vegetation carefully, avoiding mowing at night when hedgehogs are active.
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Avoid creating “dead-end” habitat strips that force hedgehogs onto roads.
3. Safer Driving in Rural Areas
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Place “Hedgehog Crossing” warning signs in high-risk areas.
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Encourage drivers to slow down on country lanes at night, especially during peak hedgehog activity (May–October).
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Promote awareness campaigns to remind drivers to watch out for wildlife.
4. Garden & Community Action
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Create hedgehog highways between gardens (small holes in fences or walls) to reduce the need for road crossings.
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Join or support local hedgehog rescue groups monitoring roadkill and campaigning for safer roads.
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Record hedgehog sightings and roadkill through citizen science projects to identify hotspots.
Why It Matters
The hedgehog was once a common sight in Britain, but populations have dropped drastically in recent decades. Roadkill not only threatens individual hedgehogs but also weakens populations already struggling with habitat loss, pesticides, and urbanisation.
By making roads safer for hedgehogs, we are also protecting many other small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles that share their habitats.
✅ In short: Protecting hedgehogs from roadkill is about more than saving an iconic species — it’s about making our landscapes friendlier for all wildlife. With safer crossings, careful verge management, and community involvement, we can give hedgehogs the future they deserve.