David Attenborough has shared a straightforward tip for British gardeners to help hedgehogs this summer. The naturalist, who has lived in London for 75 years, suggests cutting a small hole in garden fences to create 'hedgehog highways'.
In his latest series, Wild London, Attenborough explains that hedgehogs have woken from hibernation and need easy routes to find mates and food. He notes that urban areas are where hedgehog numbers have stabilised, but enclosed gardens often present a 'dead end' for the creatures.
'I used to have a hedgehog that lived in my garden all the time, but now they're a rare sight,' Attenborough said. 'With little help from us, there's hope that they might even increase.'
Gardeners' World recommends cutting a hole at least 13cm x 13cm at the base of a fence. For larger gardens, multiple openings allow hedgehogs to travel further. Covering the hole with plastic sheeting and leaves can help keep predators away and provide shelter.
Hedgehogs eat up to 100 grams of food per night, and urban areas offer more readily available food sources. By creating these highways, homeowners can give hedgehogs a fighting chance to thrive.
