‘Schedule 5 lists Animals Species that are protected under Section 9. Section 9 prohibits the intentional killing, injuring or taking of the species listed in Schedule 5 and also prohibits their possession and the trade in the wild animals listed’ (UK Wildlife, 2016).

Hedgehogs have been listed as facing a high risk of extinction under the GB IUCN red list. Hedgehogs need protection under the Schedule 5 Wildlife and Countryside Act, they certainly meet the criteria. Unfortunately hedgehogs have been faced with intentional and reckless killing, along with their shelters being damaged. 

Sadly, hedgehogs do get abused and mistreated, surely it is about time they get listed under this act! The RSPCA data shows that between 2011-2015 there were more than 6,000 hedgehog incidents, involving ‘beating, improper killing, neglect and mutilation’. From 2015-2020 numbers went up to 7,000.

An example taken from the RSPCA news 1 September 2021 ‘one hedgehog killed by teenagers in Staffordshire after being kicked like a football.’ This is just one example out of many incidents involving hedgehogs. The government needs to act now yet they are reluctant to add hedgehogs to this act! 

Hedgehogs are already in danger of extinction due to many factors. However, abuse does not need to be a contributing factor to the decline in hedgehogs. This could be avoided if added to the list on Schedule 5. 

Hedgehogs suffer in their homes due to development work within rural areas. Even small scale development work can have a detrimental impact on the population of hedgehogs. If hedgehogs were included in Schedule 5 it would protect their places of shelter and could put an end to these avoidable killings (People’s Trust For Endangered Species, 2022) 

Sign the petition and get hedgehogs added to Schedule 5 Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The government is yet to add them. However, with plenty of people’s signatures we can make this possible!