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Last hedgehogs in central London 'survived by learning to avoid roads' Last hedgehogs in central London 'survived by learning to avoid roads'
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The last hedgehogs to live in a central London park have survived because they have learnt to avoid busy roads, a study suggests.The last hedgehogs to live in a central London park have survived because they have learnt to avoid busy roads, a study suggests.
Hedgehogs were once common across the UK but have suffered a steep decline in the last 60 years, with deaths on the road one of the biggest problems. Hedgehogs were once common across the UK but have suffered a steep decline in the past 60 years, with deaths on the road one of the biggest problems.
Central London, with its heavy traffic, has experienced one of the biggest declines with few hedgehogs now surviving there. In Regents Park, however, a small population is clinging on and they appear to have learnt to keep clear of the busy roads that are one of the main causes of their decline.Central London, with its heavy traffic, has experienced one of the biggest declines with few hedgehogs now surviving there. In Regents Park, however, a small population is clinging on and they appear to have learnt to keep clear of the busy roads that are one of the main causes of their decline.
Clare Bowen, of the Royal Parks Foundation, said: “We’ve tagged a number of animals and we’ve got a very good idea of where they are going. We don’t have any indication of them leaving the park at all or crossing any of the main roads.Clare Bowen, of the Royal Parks Foundation, said: “We’ve tagged a number of animals and we’ve got a very good idea of where they are going. We don’t have any indication of them leaving the park at all or crossing any of the main roads.
“We don’t have any records of squashed hedgehogs around Regents Park. All this would suggest they steer clear of busy roads.”“We don’t have any records of squashed hedgehogs around Regents Park. All this would suggest they steer clear of busy roads.”
In the other four Royal Parks – St James’s, Hyde and Green Park, along with Kensington Gardens - none are known to survive. In the 1970s hedgehogs were known to live in all five of the main central London parks. In the other four Royal Parks – St James’s, Hyde and Green Park, along with Kensington Gardens – none are known to survive. In the 1970s hedgehogs were known to live in all five of the main central London parks.
Fewer than a million hedgehogs are now estimated to survive in the UK, down from 36.5m in the 1950s.Fewer than a million hedgehogs are now estimated to survive in the UK, down from 36.5m in the 1950s.
Regent Park’s hedgehog population was uncovered by surveys carried out in 2014 by the Royal Parks Foundation. The discovery has already prompted changes in frequency and locations of grass-cutting to make the park more hedgehog-friendly.Regent Park’s hedgehog population was uncovered by surveys carried out in 2014 by the Royal Parks Foundation. The discovery has already prompted changes in frequency and locations of grass-cutting to make the park more hedgehog-friendly.
Nick Biddle, Park Manager at Regent’s Park, said: “Last year’s research findings has led to a change in habitat management. Grassland adjacent to hedges will be left to grow longer to provide a richer environment for hedgehog foraging and nesting. The findings from Regent’s Park will also be shared with other urban green spaces to help with the creation of more hedgehog friendly-habitats.” Nick Biddle, park manager at Regent’s Park, said: “Last year’s research findings has led to a change in habitat management. Grassland adjacent to hedges will be left to grow longer to provide a richer environment for hedgehog foraging and nesting. The findings from Regent’s Park will also be shared with other urban green spaces to help with the creation of more hedgehog friendly-habitats.”
Further research is now taking place to identify how best the animals can be helped to survive. Grassy areas have been shown to be among their favourites places in the park.Further research is now taking place to identify how best the animals can be helped to survive. Grassy areas have been shown to be among their favourites places in the park.
Hedgehogs pinpointed during the survey were found to walk up to 1.5km each night while foraging for slugs, beetles and other invertebrates. Thermal imaging cameras, radio tags and GPS tracking were among the technological hardware used to study them.Hedgehogs pinpointed during the survey were found to walk up to 1.5km each night while foraging for slugs, beetles and other invertebrates. Thermal imaging cameras, radio tags and GPS tracking were among the technological hardware used to study them.
Their average weight was 960g, well above the average, but there was concern the Regents Park population is struggling because for such a large area there should be more of them.Their average weight was 960g, well above the average, but there was concern the Regents Park population is struggling because for such a large area there should be more of them.
Researchers involved in the surveys, filmed by SpringWatch, are hoping to find out where the hedgehogs bed down to avoid the eight million people and dogs who use the park every year. They also plan to carry out DNA tests which could reveal if animal-lovers have illicitly released hedgehogs into the park.Researchers involved in the surveys, filmed by SpringWatch, are hoping to find out where the hedgehogs bed down to avoid the eight million people and dogs who use the park every year. They also plan to carry out DNA tests which could reveal if animal-lovers have illicitly released hedgehogs into the park.
Sara Lom, CEO of the Royal Parks Foundation, the charity for London’s eight Royal Parks, said: “One of the important aims of the project is to educate the park users about the resident hedgehog population so that they will help protect and support them in future.” Sara Lom, chief executive of the Royal Parks Foundation, the charity for London’s eight Royal Parks, said: “One of the important aims of the project is to educate the park users about the resident hedgehog population so that they will help protect and support them in future.”
Dr Nigel Reeve, hedgehog expert and former Head of Ecology at The Royal Parks, said: “Thanks to the exceptional efforts of all those involved, the data we have gathered this May will provide crucial detail about the behaviour of hedgehogs in the park. Dr Nigel Reeve, hedgehog expert and former head of ecology at The Royal Parks, said: “Thanks to the exceptional efforts of all those involved, the data we have gathered this May will provide crucial detail about the behaviour of hedgehogs in the park.
“As well as the use of GPS and radio tracking, thermal imaging has allowed us to detect hedgehogs more reliably and to observe their activities with minimal disturbance.”“As well as the use of GPS and radio tracking, thermal imaging has allowed us to detect hedgehogs more reliably and to observe their activities with minimal disturbance.”