Families across the UK are being urged to take action this autumn to help hedgehogs build vital fat reserves and prepare safe spaces for hibernation. Experts at Arbtech report that the UK’s hedgehog population has declined dramatically, from approximately 30 million in the 1950s to fewer than one million today. A recent survey found that nearly half of Britons have not seen a hedgehog in the wild in the last five years, with one in four in Scotland reporting the same.

Hedgehogs, classified as a vulnerable species, face threats from habitat destruction, road accidents, and exposure to pesticides. Urban populations show slight recovery, but rural numbers continue to fall. As winter approaches, hedgehogs focus on increasing food intake and building nests for hibernation. Without sufficient fat reserves, they risk freezing, predation, and starvation.

Small, thoughtful actions from individuals can make a big difference. These include providing supplementary food or creating secure feeding areas known as ‘hedgehog cafes.’ Hedgehogs are nocturnal, and spotting one during the day may indicate illness, pregnancy, or hunger.

Leo Plevin from Arbtech stressed the urgency: “Hedgehogs are disappearing before our eyes, but small things like leaving out a bowl of water, creating a gap in your fence, or even leaving a pile of leaves can help hedgehogs thrive. Hibernation is dangerous, but every small effort helps them survive until spring.”

Six Ways to Help Hedgehogs This Autumn

1. Make your garden hedgehog-friendly: Create small gaps in fences to allow hedgehogs to roam freely. Avoid slug pellets and pesticides, which are poisonous to hedgehogs.

2. Provide shelter for hibernation: Offer piles of leaves, logs, or purpose-built hedgehog houses to keep them safe during the winter and encourage them to stay nearby.

3. Create a safe feeding space: Construct a ‘hedgehog cafe’ using a sturdy box with a hedgehog-sized hole, ensuring food and water are protected from pets and traffic.

4. Provide supplementary food: Feed hedgehogs plain kitten biscuits or meat-based wet dog or cat food. Avoid bread. Remove uneaten food overnight and provide fresh portions each evening.

5. Offer fresh water: Shallow bowls of water are essential. Never give milk, as hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and it can cause illness.

6. Check for illness or injury: Contact local wildlife rescue groups if a hedgehog appears sick or injured. Warning signs include daytime activity, lethargy, wobbling, or heavy breathing.

By taking these simple steps, households can play a vital role in safeguarding one of the UK’s most cherished wildlife species during the critical hibernation period.