Back in 1982 Major Adrian Coles found a hedgehog, trapped in a cattle grid on his land. He rescued it using a saucepan – but realised that if there hadn’t been a Major on hand with kitchenalia, the hedgehog would not have survived!

He used his position as a County Councillor at the time to get Shropshire Council to install escape ramps in all its grids. The resulting publicity was so vast that he realised there was a great appetite to help the humble hedgehog in the UK; and so, the Society was founded. I remember seeing something about this probably on John Craven's Newsround - or maybe Blue Peter!!

The campaign lead to the creation of a British Standard escape ramp for cattle grids, these are only included with newly installed grids. (BS 4008:2006)

An escape ramp for hedgehogs and other small animals is nothing elaborate. Escape ramps for small animals should be provided in at least one but preferably two corners of the pit (preferably “outer” corners i.e. corners to which the cattle/sheep do not have access). Ramps (150 – 200 mm wide) can be made of concrete, wood or metal, should not have a smooth surface and should have a slope not exceeding 1 in 2. The pit should be adequately drained. If it is impossible for an animal to gain access to the whole of the pit i.e. if it is sectionalised, more ramps would be required.

The BHPS is currently gathering data to measure the impact of this original campaign – and see if the cattlegrids are still problematic for hedgehogs.

They are collecting and collating data to inform our work on hedgehog conservation – but need your input!

How can you help?

Look out for cattlegrids when you’re out and about – and to make a note of the following:

• Where is the cattlegrid? (note the grid reference or use what3words)
• Is it on private or public land?
• Does it have a ramp for wildlife to escape? If so, please describe the ramp.
• Take a photo if you can!
• Are there any hedgehogs (alive or sadly dead) trapped inside?

If a live hedgehog is trapped, please rescue it if it is safe to do so & call us on 01584 890801 or click here for first aid advice.

Please send your findings to nicky@britishhedgehogs.org.uk with ‘Ramp Ranger’ as the subject.

And while we are on the subject of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society ... how would you like to combine your Christmas Shopping with helping hedgehogs?? If that is the sort of person you are then I can think of nothing better than a dive into the Hogalogue ... all profits go to the BHPS to help run their conservation campaigns. 

If you have any spare change left after a visit to the hedgehog shop - and you have already got all of my books (don't forget the Water Voles and Beavers!) ... then, well, here is a good place for it!