Title: Hedgehogs Take the Spotlight as Germany's Animal of the Year 2024
The humble hedgehog, a creature just 20 centimeters tall with around 6,000 prickly spines, has claimed the title of Animal of the Year 2024 in Germany. This beloved spiky creature beat out popular contenders like the squirrel and the red fox, as chosen by the German Wildlife Foundation's generous donors.
This yearly award aims to shed light on wildlife endangerment, habitat threats, and human-wildlife conflicts. This year's winner, unfortunately, grapples with losing its natural habitats to tidy agricultural landscapes and urban developments.
Hedgehogs are now found in greater numbers in suburban residential areas, but modern life presents its own set of challenges. Gravel gardens, sealed surfaces, and robotic lawnmowers pose further hurdles for these spiny critters. In fact, the brown-breasted hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) - common throughout Germany - now finds itself in Germany's Red List of Mammals' "early warning list," with a population trend pointing towards decline.
To give a helping hand to this nocturnal, hibernating creature, the German Wildlife Foundation encourages homeowners to create wild corners in their gardens. These sections offer sanctuaries where hedgehogs can shelter, breed, and rest. The recognition of the hedgehog as the Animal of the Year is a powerful reminder to promote wildlife preservation within urban environments.
Past recipients of this prestigious title include porpoises, otters, moles, deer, and wildcats. Each year, the choice of animal highlights the unique obstacles faced by various species in modern times and serves as a call to action for preserving nature and coexisting with wildlife.
If you're passionate about hedgehog conservation, consider the following enrichment insights:
- Restore and create hedgehog-friendly habitats in your urban garden, such as planting native flora, decreasing pesticide use, and installing log piles and rock piles.
- Reduce the use of pesticides in your garden and local urban areas to protect not only hedgehogs but also various wildlife species.
- Support conservation organizations, like the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW), through donations or participation in their programs and projects.
- Raise awareness and educate the community about the importance of hedgehog conservation by attending or participating in local events, sharing information on social media, or participating in community campaigns.
- Install hedgehog highways, or tunnels, in your garden and ensure access to nutritious food sources, like insect-rich plants.
- Participate in citizen science projects, like monitoring hedgehog populations and habitats, often initiated by organizations like the Leibniz-IZW.
- Support rewilding initiatives, which aim to restore natural habitats and ecosystems, providing more suitable environments for Africa's spiky inhabitants.
By embracing these practices, you can actively participate in strengthening hedgehog populations and preserving wildlife in urban areas affected by habitat loss.
