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Are hedgehogs a protected species UK?
Hedgehogs are protected by British law under Schedule 6 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, making it illegal to kill or capture them using certain methods. They are also protected in Britain under the Wild Mammals Protection Act (1996), prohibiting cruelty and mistreatment.
Is it against the law to kill a hedgehog?
Hedgehogs are listed on: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 Schedule 6 – It illegal to kill or capture hedgehogs unless they are suffering or need to be rehabilitated then released back into the wild. Wild Mammals Protection Act (1996) – It illegal to treat a hedgehog cruelly.
Can you kill a hedgehog in the UK?
Hedgehogs also have legal protection in the UK, listed on schedule six of the Wildlife and Countryside Act (1981) which makes it illegal to kill or capture wild hedgehogs, as well as being listed on the Wild Mammals Protection Act (1996) which means that cruel treatment of them is also illegal.
Is it illegal to disturb a hedgehog nest?
Hedgehogs and the Law Under this legislation it is an offense to: Wilfully kill, injure or take a hedgehog (or attempt to do so). It is illegal to capture or trap a hedgehog. Disturb a Hedgehog when it is occupying a nest.
Is it cruel to keep a hedgehog in your garden?
It is very cruel to keep a healthy hedgehog in one garden. They need to wander about one mile per night, especially in the mating season. Hedgehogs should never be released into the wild in autumn unless they weigh more than 1 lb (450gms).
Is it illegal to keep a hedgehog?
It’s currently illegal to own a hedgehog in California; Georgia; Hawaii; New York City; Omaha, Nebraska; and Washington, D.C. Other states and cities may have specific restrictions or require a permit to keep one. It’s also illegal to transport hedgehogs out of Africa.
Is it legal for hedgehogs to be protected?
Unfortunately, none of these laws deal with the route causes of the decline. Should hedgehogs be legally protected? Perhaps. The most sensible thing to push for would be a reclassification of hedgehogs under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to make them a schedule 5 species.
Is the Hedgehog a priority species in the UK?
See the Conservation Strategy for the West-European hedgehog document, here, for more information. Hedgehogs are listed as a UK ‘Priority Species’ under S41 of the NERC Act (2006).
Why are hedgehogs important to the Environment Plan?
The 25 Year Environment Plan sets out the Government’s ambition for nature recovery, in particular, our threatened and iconic species. Whilst the reasons for the decline in numbers of this native species are complex, we recognise the role that habitat loss plays.
How big does a hedgehog have to be to survive in the wild?
The mortality rate for late born litters can be high as individual hedgehogs need to weigh at least 450 grams if they are to survive the winter months in hibernation. The hedgehog has been given basic legal protection under the Wildlife Act and Berne convention.