WORCESTERSHIRE’S hedgehogs are in trouble and need the help of Droitwich residents to ensure their survival – that’s the message from Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.
The UK has lost 30 per cent of hedgehogs in the past ten years alone and now the trust is calling on residents to report sightings of hedgehogs to help assess where they are and in what numbers.
Wendy Carter, from the trust, said: “There was a time when most people could tell you they’d heard hedgehogs snuffling in their gardens at night.
“Nowadays, most people will tell you that they haven’t seen or heard a hedgehog for years.”
It is thought the UK has lost more than 30million hedgehogs since the 1950s but, say the trust, there are things we can all do to help hedgehogs and other wildlife.
“Hedgehogs love nothing more than munching on snails and slugs so should be welcomed by most gardeners – and it only takes a bit of thought to make a garden really good for them.
“Growing plants that attract insects is a good start but leaving patches of garden a little wild or installing a hedgehog home would be even better.”
Wendy also urged residents to talk to their neighbours to get them to agree to make a hole or two at the bottom of fencing between gardens to create ‘hedgehog highways’, enabling them to easily go from one garden to another.
Bread and milk should never be left out for hedgehogs – dog or cat meat and water are best if readers want to attract hedgehogs to their gardens.
To submit hedgehog sightings, visit www.worcswildlifetrust.co.uk/ and follow the links.
