Concern in Bovey Tracey as hedgehog decline prompts call for community action

Families in Bovey Tracey and Heathfield are being asked to take small steps to make their neighbourhoods safer for hedgehogs after a request from the Bovey Hedgehog Group.

The group, set up in 2023 by local residents, councilors and wildlife wardens, says simple actions such as driving more slowly and creating small holes in garden fences can make a big difference to the endangered animals.

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Residents are also being encouraged to report hedgehog sightings to help build a clearer picture of where the animals live and how they move around the area.

The group has been exploring whether warning signs could be placed at known hedgehog blackspots after several animals were killed on local roads. 

Cllr Sue Simmons, who sits on the Town Council and is part of the group, said:

“Sadly, our much-loved hedgehogs are threatened, having undergone considerable population decline in recent decades. However, since we started the group and asked local people for sightings, we’ve been surprised at how many people said they had hedgehogs in their gardens.

“To reverse this downward population trend, we need to remove the threats they face and put in place practical conservation measures.”

She said one of the easiest actions residents can take is to help hedgehogs move freely between gardens. “That can be achieved by cutting a 13cm hole in your fence or side gate,” she said. “Whole streets can do this together.”

Cllr Simmons also encouraged people to leave leafy corners and log piles to support natural foraging. “You can also offer a good quality meaty cat or dog food or dry cat or kitten biscuits,” she said. “And only ever offer fresh water to drink, never milk.”

The group hopes to mirror the National Hedgehog Monitoring Programme by asking residents to track their local hedgehogs.

“We’d love to know where our prickly friends are moving around in Bovey and Heathfield,” said Jan Connors, a local resident who convenes the informal group. “You might be lucky enough to have a trail camera you can install, or simply keep a lookout for their droppings.”

ABOVE: The group is encouraging residents to help protect the endangered animals (Image: Cllr Sue Simmons)

The group recently welcomed many visitors to its stand at the Bovey Tracey Christmas Market, where it added new sightings to its maps. 

Members say they have seen clusters of activity in the north of the town and several sightings near the town centre.

They plan to take the Bovey Hedgehog Group stand to local fairs in 2026 so residents can continue adding sightings.

Local resident Sophie, who also supports the project, said:

“Let’s make Bovey and Heathfield a real haven for these wonderful creatures before it’s too late.”