A network of hedgehog highways is transforming isolated gardens into connected wildlife corridors.
The British countryside once teemed with hedgehogs, but these beloved creatures are vanishing at an alarming rate. Since 2000, the UK has lost about one-third of its hedgehog population due to habitat loss and road accidents. Now, a network of hedgehog highways is offering hope for their survival.
Rural hedgehogs face significant threats due to modern agricultural practices. The widespread use of insecticides eliminates the insects they depend on for food, while the removal or deterioration of hedgerows further disrupts their habitat.
Urban hedgehogs are also at risk of being struck by cars, but they encounter a different set of dangers in their environment. If they manage to access urban gardens, they must navigate a series of hidden threats, including rat poison, mouse traps, and aggressive pets such as dogs and cats. Another major hazard is garden ponds—while hedgehogs are capable swimmers, they are unable to climb smooth, steep edges. These ponds and pools can easily become fatal traps without a shallow exit or a ramp.
But it isn’t all bad news for the hedgehogs in the UK. Residents create hedgehog highways that transform isolated spaces into connected wildlife corridors by cutting small holes in garden fences and walls. A 2021 study revealed over 120,000 such highways now link about 240,000 British gardens – roughly one percent of all residential gardens in the country. These innovative pathways let hedgehogs travel between gardens in search of food and shelter.
The movement gained momentum through organizations like Hedgehog Street, a national campaign run by wildlife protection groups. Their monitoring shows promising signs in urban areas where hedgehog highways have become increasingly common, with population declines beginning to slow.
Creating access points is surprisingly simple for homeowners wanting to join the hedgehog highway network. A 13×13 centimetre hole – about the size of a CD case – in garden fences is all it takes. Residents can mark these openings with special signs, helping neighbours identify and connect their gardens to existing wildlife corridors.
In Devon, Judy Oliphant runs Prickles in a Pickle, a hedgehog rescue centre supported by 40 volunteers. Her team educates garden owners about creating safe spaces alongside hedgehog highways. This includes building hedgehog homes using simple materials like wooden boxes filled with dry leaves and straw and placing them along established wildlife corridors.
The British public has embraced hedgehog protection efforts. Schools, soccer leagues, and property developers now include hedgehog highways in their plans. Gardens make up nearly a third of Britain’s urban areas, so these connected spaces create significant new habitats.
Scientists are working to better understand hedgehog populations. Dr. Emma Cartledge at Nottingham Trent University leads a national monitoring program using camera traps and artificial intelligence to track the animals along hedgehog highways and other wildlife corridors. The program, which will run until 2026, will help measure the effectiveness of conservation efforts and guide future strategies.
The hedgehog’s cultural significance helps drive conservation efforts. These animals appear in Shakespeare’s plays and regularly top lists of Britain’s favourite species. Unlike more controversial wildlife, hedgehogs unite people in their support. As Oliphant notes, the hedgehog avoids the political debates that surround other British wildlife, like badgers or foxes.
The success of hedgehog highways demonstrates how small actions by individuals can create meaningful change for wildlife conservation. As these networks continue to expand across Britain, they offer a model for urban wildlife protection that other countries might follow. With continued community support and scientific monitoring, hedgehog highways may help ensure these beloved creatures remain a part of British gardens for generations to come.
