Conservation concern for Europe's hedgehog species (Erinaceidae): Current statuses, issues and needs

Abstract

Recent regional updates to the IUCN Red List reveal a discouraging tendency: the hedgehog species of Europe are either declining and/or neglected by research and monitoring programmes to such a degree that evaluation of their conservation status remains challenging. Hedgehogs are charismatic nature ambassadors, and they are appreciated widely by the public with numerous individuals and organisations willing to contribute to their conservation, yet there exists a disconnect between general interest in hedgehogs and broad-scale monitoring efforts. Here, we clarify the current conservation statuses of the five species of hedgehogs in Europe, knowledge of threats, what is being done to mitigate declines, and where the conservation and research gaps lie. There are several common risks posed to hedgehog species in Europe including roads, and habitat loss and degradation. For some species, regional-scale action is urgently needed to prevent populations from shrinking any further. For all, there remains a comprehensive lack of knowledge of populations, ecology and threats.