Tips for proper hedgehog protection

German Animal Welfare Association warns against premature adoption

29/10/2013

As soon as the days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer again, hedgehogs are increasingly traveling again. Since the spiky animals hibernate from mid-November until about the beginning of April, they are dependent on every form of food right now in the fall, in order to prepare themselves sufficiently for the time in their winter quarters. Many animal lovers are therefore concerned about the helpless-looking animals and want to help - but especially with hedgehogs should be held back according to the German animal welfare groups necessarily, so as not to bring the animals unnecessarily in danger.

Hedgehogs rarely rely on human help
When the hedgehogs go in search of food in the autumn in preparation for their hibernation, many people think they should provide support for the cute animals. But the German Animal Protection Association warns urgently „in front of well-intentioned, but misunderstood Hedgehog aid“, because the spiny animals are only in exceptional cases dependent on human help. Accordingly, BEFORE taking care of an in-hatchery, information should always be obtained from the veterinarian or the local animal welfare organization as to whether it is necessary at all.

Better to care for natural environment
Instead, animal lovers should, on the advice of the Animal Welfare Association, first observe the animals from a distance, taking care not to intervene in the hedgehog's natural environment or even to destroy shelters. In this context, of course, naturally-designed, accessible gardens could provide food and shelter and meaningful human support.

Healthy animals are only out in the dark
Hedgehogs usually hide in the daytime in shelters such as behind compost, in twigs and piles of leaves or hedges and go only in the protection of darkness foraging. Therefore be „really needy hedgehogs [.] to recognize that they are traveling during the day, appear emaciated and behave apathetic. Even hedgehogs, who still walk around in permafrost or snow cover, are usually weakened or ill“, so the information of the animal welfare federation.

Do without leaf vacuum
To the hedgehog one „natural“ To provide habitat, gardeners could, for example, leave accumulating foliage in the plants and on the beds and set up passageways to other gardens, as hedgehogs usually seek their food in large areas. In addition, garden tools should be used with great caution, as this can lead to serious accidents. Especially the increasingly popular leaf vacuum cleaners and blowers are a particular danger according to the Animal Protection Association: they can be used to suck in smaller hedgehogs and kill them. On the other hand, the devices remove insects, worms and mollusks, but they are also used by the hedgehogs are an important food source. Instead, should be used on the advice of the club rather a rake for gardening, as it is destroyed neither hideouts or food.

The NABU also pleads for one „species-appropriate hedgehog protection“
The Naturschutzbund Deutschland e.V. (NABU) is also committed to one „species-appropriate hedgehog protection“, this means „primarily for habitat protection, habitat improvements in settlements as well „Defuse“ of hedgehog hazards“, such a message from the association. According to this, the NABU should be the exception after a take-up procedure and if at all then only expert. Instead, in addition to the above measures should be set up a „hedgehog-friendly garden“ Care should be taken to be careful when mowing, clearing and clearing and to carefully cover potential traps such as basements, pits, etc. (No)

Picture: Andreas Depping