Hedgehogs: Almost half of people in UK have never seen much-loved mammal in their garden, survey says

The hedgehog has suffered long-term population decline with populations thought to have fallen by 30 per cent since 2003

Most people questioned in a survey said they would happily cut a hole in their fences to allow access for hedgehogs (PA)

Almost half of people have never seen a hedgehog in their garden, according to a survey that suggests more declines for the garden visitor.

Just 29 per cent of people taking part in this year’s annual wildlife survey for BBC Gardeners’ World magazine had seen a hedgehog in their garden in the last year, down from 32 per cent the previous year.

Only one in 10 of the 2,348 of the people who took part in the survey said they saw the much-loved mammal regularly in their gardens and 48 per cent had never seen one.

The hedgehog has suffered a serious long-term population decline and numbers continue to drop, with populations thought to have fallen by 30 per cent since 2003 to less than one million in the UK – down from an estimated 36 million in the 1950s.

The survey suggests people are keen to save the species, immortalised by Beatrix Potter as Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and a friend to gardeners as it feeds on pests such as caterpillars and slugs.

Asked which one UK species they would like to save from extinction, 52 per cent said hedgehogs, beating other at-risk British species such as the sparrow, puffin, mistle thrush and hairy-footed bumblebee.

And seven out of 10 people said they would be happy to cut a hole in their garden fences to allow hedgehogs to roam more freely to help halt their demise, the poll – published in the magazine’s 25th-anniversary edition – revealed.

Lucy Hall, BBC Gardeners’ World editor, said: “The much loved, humble hog is among gardeners’ most appealing natural allies, but they’re disappearing on our watch.

“And yet a few simple steps, from leaving out the right food, to opening up gaps in fences and creating secluded areas for nesting and hibernation, will help make our gardens the havens that hedgehogs have long enjoyed.

“If we act collectively now, we can still help save the species for future generations, but time is running out.”

The magazine has drawn up a list of tips to help save hedgehogs. They include planting hedges, cutting holes under fences, making ponds safe, not using slug pellets, leaving out dog or cat food but avoiding bread and milk which can kill hedgehogs.

The advice also urges people to check bonfires for hedgehogs nesting or hibernating under them before lighting them.

Press Association