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Next time you reach for the strimmer to cut back long grass or areas of the garden which have grown a bit wild, take just a few extra minutes to make sure you’re not going to be disturbing sleeping wildlife, in particular, hedgehogs
Despite being found across Europe, and northwards to Scandinavia, hedgehog numbers are in serious decline, especially in the UK, where they now appear on the red list as vulnerable to extinction. Long grassy areas, or wild patches with brambles, are all popular homes for hedgehogs, but unlike many creatures which run away from potential threats, the hedgehog just curls into a ball, waiting for the danger to pass. This means they are far more vulnerable to injuries, or even death from strimming.
Holly who suffered (but fortunately survived, after 6 weeks intensive care at a rescue centre) a nasty injury from a strimmer - Image credited to ©Little Silver Hedgehog
Here are three quick actions you can take to give hedgehogs a better chance of survival in your garden:
Hedgehog house in garden - image credit to ©Jay Williams
Find out how to make your garden hedgehog-friendly at www.hedgehogaware.org.uk
Thank you to Dylan Allman, self-proclaimed 'Hedgehog Champion' for this amazing blog and for highlighting the need to check before you strim to become 'Hedgehog Aware'! An inspiration at only 14 years old, Dylan and his 'Hedgehog Aware' campaign, which is supported by the British Hedgehog Society, and People’s Trust for Endangered Species, needs your support to help save the wildlife in our gardens.