Help save dying hedgehogs in southport

Hedgehogs in Southport are in danger of dying after eating slug pellets in gardens across the town.

animal welfare workers have now released top tips for those at home so they can go about creating your own hedgehog house, to help the nation’s favourite mammal from further decline, especially during the current heatwave.

The Hedgehog Street team – ran by wildlife charities the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) and People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) – is urging people to help hedgehogs by building them the perfect home, providing a safe haven that’s cool, cosy and comfortable during this unusual summer weather.

Last year, Hedgehog Street launched the first ever Hedgehog Housing Census, which looked at how, when and why hedgehogs use either homemade or artificial hedgehog houses in gardens across Britain. Between August and October 2017, over 5,000 people responded to the Hedgehog Housing Census, and now, a year on, the secrets behind what makes a perfect hedgehog home have been revealed. The results, analysed by the University of Reading, show that:

• Hedgehogs prefer homemade houses, but artificial houses are still a good alternative if they have the right features
• Hedgehogs need time to get used to a new house before they use it
• Feeding hedgehogs, putting water in your garden & providing bedding (such as dry leaves, pet straw or both) increases the chances of a resident hedgehog moving in
• Hedgehogs prefer houses found in back gardens, in shaded areas.