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PRESS RELEASE

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One Million Hedgehogs

Hedgehog feeding

Our current Hedgehog population is estimated to be less than 1 million animals, down from about 35 million animals in the 1950’s and still thought to be falling at a rate of 5% a year.

As part of Hedgehog Awareness Week 2018 (6th – 12th May) Ark Wildlife is running One Million Hedgehogs Photo Competition. Packed with prizes, they are calling on everyone with a picture of a hedgehog to submit it to their competition.

Baby hedgehog

Sean McMenemy Director at Ark Wildlife says, “We have been supporting the cause of hedgehogs for over 25 years and this year have set ourselves the huge target of one million votes for hedgehogs”. He continues “Hedgehogs are one of our most recognised and loved animals and we think the public will get behind our campaign. They’ll be able to share their own hedgehog photos and view and vote for others, all in one social arena. This has the potential to raise hedgehog awareness to a whole new level.”

The competition can be found at www.arkwildlife.co and through a special panel on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/ArkWildlife.

Their goal is ambitious to say the least; 1000 entries, 10,000 photos, 100,000 website visits and 1,000,000 votes! To encourage us to enter and vote Ark Wildlife are giving away prizes including hedgehog houses, hedgehog food and even money off vouchers for every photo submitted. They’re even giving 30 vouchers to voters who will be drawn at random at the end of May. Sean says, “We’d love the campaign to go viral and reach as many people as possible but if one garden is made more hedgehog friendly at the end of the campaign; that’s a success.”

Background
Hedgehog family

The hedgehog was voted Britain’s National species in 2014 and is one of the best-loved creatures visiting our gardens. Being the only native mammal covered in spines it’s easily identified and domestic gardens have become a key habitat for them in recent decades. However, this close proximity with man can also create dangers. Various common injuries can be caused by power tools such as strimmers and lawn mowers, and garden netting and other mesh items such as football goals can trap animals. Hedgehog’s have a habit of sleeping in leaf piles, compost heaps and bonfires and are therefore vulnerable to nasty injuries from garden forks and burns from fires.

You can find out more about Hedgehog Awareness Week and One Million Hedgehogs and other ways to help hedgehogs on the following websites.

www.arkwidlife.co – Ark Wildlife Limited

www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk – British Hedgehog Preservation Society

www.hedgehogstreet.org – Campaigning for hedgehog friendly gardens

If you find a hedgehog in distress or out during the day call the BHPS on: 01584 890 801 or search online for your local hedgehog carer.

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Photo Opportunity: High resolution images are available on request.

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Notes to Editors

  • The Hedgehog population has declined by more than 30% in the last decade and domestic gardens are now vital habitat for their future survival. Increased public awareness will support the future of hedgehogs.
  • Hedgehog Awareness Week has been running for more than 10 years and been supported throughout by Ark Wildlife Limited.
  • Photos, further details and radio and TV interviews are available on request.