Petition seeks to protect hedgehogs

A petition calling for hedgehogs to become a protected species has attracted over 43,000 online signatures.
The petition is calling for hedgehogs to be made a protected species.The petition is calling for hedgehogs to be made a protected species.
The petition is calling for hedgehogs to be made a protected species.

Launched by Oliver Colvile MP and backed by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People’s Trust for Endangered Species, the petition – which can be found here – will close on August 11.

Mr Colvile is looking for one final push to boost his campaign. If the total number of signatures reaches over 100,000, the issue will be discussed in the UK Parliament.

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He said: “The attention of the nation has been taken by important political news of late, but the plight of the hedgehog should not be belittled.

“Their numbers are in serious decline and it is our responsibility and duty to help reverse that in any way we can.”

Mr Colvile has also received more than 3000 signatures on paper and more are continuing to arrive at his office at the House of Commons.

Fay Vass, chief executive of the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, said: “It’s clear people are concerned about hedgehogs from the amount of support already received, but we need more people to sign.

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“They are much loved by the UK population and we are asking those people to now sign a simple online petition to ensure the option of increasing protection for them is discussed in parliament.”

Hedgehogs numbers have declined by a third in urban areas and by half in rural areas since 2000.

A campaign called ‘Hedgehog Street’, run by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society and People’s Trust for Endangered Species, has so far attracted almost 40,000 people to sign up as Hedgehog Champions for their local area.

Visit the Hedgehog Street website for more details on how you can help hedgehogs further.