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How to help hedgehogs survive the heatwave
Easy ways to look out for hedgehogs amid urgent plea to help thirsty wildlife through extreme heat
As hot, dry weather continues across the UK, experts fear that the prolonged heatwave could take a devastating toll on wildlife. The British Hedgehog Preservation Society is appealing to everyone to provide fresh water for hedgehogs and other garden wildlife.
A lack of accessible water is a real and increasing threat to wildlife, especially in urban areas. Now, prolonged high temperatures and drought across the UK and Europe are making survival even harder.
Place a shallow dish of clean water in your garden or green space to provide a lifeline to thirsty garden wildlife, from hedgehogs and frogs to birds and insects – providing vital relief during this extreme heat. Keep the water topped up daily and add a handful of pebbles so that bees, butterflies and other insects can safely perch while drinking.
REMEMBER: Out in the Day is Not OK
Hedgehogs are nocturnal and therefore should only generally be out at night, dawn and dusk. If you see a hedgehog out in the daytime – even if it appears healthy – look up your nearest hedgehog rescue centre and call them straight away for advice. Acting fast can make all the difference to the outcome.
Fay Vass, Chief Executive for British Hedgehog Preservation Society says: “Extreme heat and drought can have devastating consequences for hedgehogs and other wildlife. Without access to fresh water, many animals face dehydration, exhaustion and, in some cases, death.
“With temperatures remaining high and natural water sources drying up, even the smallest action can make a huge difference. A shallow dish of clean water placed in a shady spot could save a hedgehog’s life.
“Creating a wildlife-friendly pond with a gently sloping edge, leaving areas of natural shade, or simply putting out fresh water every day are some of the most important things people can do to help wildlife survive this summer.
“Hedgehogs can also struggle to find enough food when the ground is hot and dry – so putting out a high-quality meaty hedgehog food, meaty cat or dog food or dry cat biscuits can provide a vital lifeline for hungry hedgehogs.”
Action for hedgehogs is particularly urgent given their dramatic decline across the UK. There are estimated to be only around 900,000 left, down from 30 million in the 1950s. The State of Britain’s Hedgehogs 2022 report , published by BHPS and People’s Trust for Endangered Species, found that rural populations have plummeted by between 30% and 75% just since 2000.
Christopher Morgan
Most of the UK’s remaining hedgehogs are now confined to urban areas, where ability to move freely between gardens is critical
While there are some signs of population recovery in urban areas, hedgehogs still face growing pressures from habitat loss, climate change and increasingly extreme weather. Gardens and green spaces can provide a vital refuge, by offering water, shelter and safe places to forage. Leaving undisturbed log piles, wild areas and shady spots can help hedgehogs and other wildlife cope during periods of intense heat.
“Every garden can become a lifeline,” says Fay. “By providing fresh water and creating shade and shelter, people can make an immediate difference to the survival of hedgehogs and many other species during spells of extreme weather.”
