Back from the brink?

There are signs hedgehog numbers might be recovering, and we can all do our bit to help them, says Alan Wright of Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Are hedgehogs making a comeback? Over the past year we have heard about a lot of sightings in parks and gardens, after years of silence about one of our favourite mammals.

This year I have seen two hedgehogs, after only seeing one in the past five years, in my mum’s garden in Walkden. This year, I saw one rushing through a meadow in Chorley and, sadly, found one by my front door that had been injured by a strimmer and had to be put to sleep.

We all know the hedgehog – small, brown and round with spikes on its back that have yellow tips. Its face is covered in fur and it has a cute, black nose.

If you come across one and it sees you, it will roll up into a ball for protection. The closer you get, the tighter the ball. This is a great defence against most predators but not very good against the onslaught of humanity.

Rolling up in a ball is not a good defence against strimmers and lawnmowers, so if you are cutting long grass or foliage, please search through it first for these precious little animals. And please be sure to check any bonfires before you light them, as well.