Is disease a factor in the decline of Britain’s hedgehogs?

31st August 2018

Hedgehogs are prone to a range of parasites and diseases, but what’s a natural level of infection for a wild hedgehog?

Garden Wildlife Health is a project set up by the wildlife vets at the Institute of Zoology (ZSL) in collaboration with the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO), Froglife and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).

The project aims to identify the diseases that affect wildlife in gardens across Great Britain. They focus on garden birds, amphibians, reptiles and hedgehogs. The results from this project will inform conservation actions and garden wildlife management advice.

What does this mean for hedgehogs?

The project is looking into whether infectious or non-infectious disease is a factor in the hedgehog decline. They also hope to discover what a natural level of disease and parasitism may be.

PTES and BHPS are partner organisations in the Garden Wildlife Health forum.

…….pssst. YOU CAN HELP!

» To report any dead or ill hedgehogs in your garden visit the Garden Wildlife Health website. You can also let the the wildlife vets at ZSL know if you have a dead hedgehog and they can send you all the necessary equipment to post it to them at no cost! Results and any advice will be relayed to the submitter.