Page 10 - Issue 86 Online

HEDGEHOGS IN MANEA

Helping Our Prickly Neighbours Thrive

You’re most likely to spot them at dusk
— snuffling through leaves, shuffling
under hedges, or rustling across the lawn.
Hedgehogs are one of Britain’s best-
loved wild creatures, but their numbers
are in steep decline.
Since 2000, rural hedgehog populations
have fallen by more than 50%. The
British Hedgehog Preservation Society
(BHPS) and Hedgehog Street are warning
that, without urgent action, we could
be the last generation to regularly see
hedgehogs in our gardens. Hedgehog Street and help put Manea
on the map. To join our Hedgehog
Without urgent action, we Heroes group or report a sighting, email:
jokeefe@manea-pc.gov.uk
could be the last generation
to regularly see hedgehogs Let’s make Manea a haven for hedgehogs
in our gardens. — safe, connected, and thriving.
Janet O’Keefe
Here in Manea, we’re doing our bit. As
part of our Nature Recovery Plan, we’re
restoring hedgerows, planting wildflower Hedgehog Welfare Tips
corridors, and creating safe habitats. • Never feed bread or milk — it
causes dehydration.
What You Can Do: • Offer water and meaty cat or dog

Small actions make a big difference. Cut food instead.
a 13cm hole in your fence to create a • Hedgehogs seen at night are usually
‘hedgehog highway’ between gardens. fine.
Leave log piles, leaf litter or compost • If you see one out in the day, it may
heaps for shelter. Avoid slug pellets be unwell — call a local rescue.
and pesticides, which kill the insects • Roll up or raise football nets and
hedgehogs rely on. Always check before garden netting overnight to prevent
mowing, strimming or lighting bonfires. entanglement.

We’re encouraging residents to join

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