Almost 50 residents sign up to help protect local hedgehog population
Kingston Council has teamed up with the world-leading Institute of Zoology to halt hedgehog population decline through pioneering community-led research.
Hedgehogs are one of the fastest declining mammals in the UK, with evidence showing that we have lost approximately two thirds of our hedgehogs since 1990.
Almost 50 residents have volunteered to become local Hedgehog Champions - setting up wildlife cameras in their gardens and local nature reserves to monitor hedgehog activity, transporting equipment and to help analyse the resulting data and footage.
Phase one of the programme is underway with cameras being deployed in a number of gardens across Alexandra and Berrylands Wards. Phase two (July-August 2021) will see cameras introduced in Berrylands Nature Reserve, Elmbridge Meadows and Southwood Open Space.
In Autumn, the Institute of Zoology will present the data collected along with its recommendations for conservation actions to protect and increase our local hedgehog population. Findings will also be incorporated into the council’s new Biodiversity Action Plan launching later this year.
In the meantime, find out more about our local hedgehog population and how to make your garden more hedgehog friendly.
If you have any questions about the scheme please email elliot.newton@kingston.gov.uk.