Hedgehogs must be counted.
WWF is using its website to encourage people everywhere in Sweden to participate in hedgehog counting. They aim to gather more information about the hedgehog, a species believed to have existed for over 30 million years and the county animal of Gotland.
Despite its long history, the hedgehog is facing decline and has been listed as a threatened species on the Swedish Species Information Centre's Red List since 2020. An adult hedgehog has between 5,000 and 7,000 spines and can live up to eight years, but around 60 percent die within their first year.
Hedgehog Week, from August 12 to 18, is a dedicated period for reporting hedgehog sightings, both living and dead. Observations should be registered on the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences' Artportal.
WWF acknowledges the difficulty in determining the exact number and distribution of hedgehogs across Sweden's vast territory. This study aims to provide insights into population trends and distribution patterns.
Hedgehogs face numerous threats. Large-scale agriculture with pesticide use offers neither food nor suitable habitats, making gardens and parks crucial for their survival.
Road traffic is another significant danger, with many hedgehogs falling victim to vehicles. Badgers, whose population has increased in recent years, pose a threat as they prey on hedgehogs. Competition for food also exists between the two species.
Hedgehogs can accumulate environmental toxins through their diet, which are stored in their body fat. Unlike other mammals, hedgehogs are particularly vulnerable to these toxins due to their extensive fat reserves built up for hibernation. When the fat is burned during hibernation, toxins are released, exposing the hedgehog's organs to prolonged exposure and increasing the risk of injury.
People can become "hedgehog guardians" by spreading awareness about the hedgehog's need for help.