petition outcome:
Include hedgehogs in wildlife protection legislation
This petition was created with the belief that hedgehogs are deserving of equal protection to other British wildlife, and here at Verify Humanity, we couldn’t agree more.
Hedgehogs are a much-loved part of the UK's natural heritage, bringing life to our countryside and gardens while also playing a vital role in the health and balance of our ecosystems. Protecting them is essential to preserving the rich natural environment we all value.
GOVERNMENT POSITION
In July 2025, the government responded to this petition. They advised that protection and legislation will be granted where proved to be necessary and effective.
Unfortunately, they asserted that Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 cannot guarantee any effective recovery of hedgehogs, as it doesn’t help to prevent road traffic incidents, pesticide use or habitat loss, hedgehogs’ main causes of population decline.
Whilst this is disappointing news, they did propose further action to support the recovery of hedgehogs, including a revised Environmental Improvement Plan, with the goal of halting species decline and restoring or creating more wildlife-rich habitats over the next 5-20 years.
VERIFY HUMANITY'S RESPONSE
It’s not the outcome we all hoped for, but we won’t stop pushing. The more we speak out about our concerns surrounding these issues, the more the government has to listen. In the meantime, there are little acts of kindness we can all do to help hedgehogs, such as:
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Placing log piles and hedgehog homes in gardens, as well as adding ‘hedgehog highways’ in walls or fences
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Avoiding the use of pesticides and poisons
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Leaving out bowls of water, as well creating shaded spots in gardens