Do Rodenticides Kill Hedgehogs? Is That A Silly Question...

 

Avon Wildlife News (24:26) carries the following:

"Helping Hedgehogs

Isabella Clark is a researcher based at the University of Reading currently recruiting volunteers across the UK for a citizen science project investigating how urban hedgehogs may be exposed to rodenticides (rat poison) in gardens.    One potential route of exposure involves hedgehogs occurring in the same gardens as rats and mice, where rodenticides may be used to treat infestations.    As a result, hedgehogs in these areas may be more likely to encounter these toxins.

Isabella is looking for volunteers with access to a garden and a motion-activated wildlife or security camera.    Participants will be asked to monitor a leaking tin of sardines in their garden for 1–2 weeks.    No prior experience is required, and full instructions will be provided.

The findings from this project may help improve understanding of the risks rodenticides pose to urban hedgehogs and inform more wildlife-friendly pest control practices.

The project is planned to begin in July 2026, with additional surveys taking place in winter 2026/2027. For more information and to apply, please visit https://sites.googlr.com/view/gardenwildlife-org/home and contact isabella.clark@pgr.reading.ac.uk if you have any questions."

I laughed.  Sorry....monitor a leaking can of sardines for two weeks?  How will it be made to leak? 

1.   An open can leaking poses a risk to foxes, badgers (yes hedgehogs and badgers do frequent the same gardens) and while either might carry the can off.

2. what about rats?  If rats are nearby why would you want to attract them to your propperty? I have first hand experience of what just what damage one lonbe rat can do in a fedw minutes. 

3. I can see a few good cat fights over this leaky can. 

Not sure how this will show hedgehogs will be attracted to rodenticides. I found two dead in my garden early last year after rodenticides were used in three adjacent properties and his have been seen for the first time in the last week. 

I ought to point out that no one was interested in carrying out post mortems on my two hogs and, although there is no exact national figure for the total number of UK hedgehogs killed by rodenticide research shows that nearly all (up to 100%) wild British hedgehogs are exposed to anticoagulant rat and mouse poisons, primarily through secondary poisoning from eating contaminated slugs and insects. (The Telegraph  26 08 2009) A Bristol University study by Dr Claire Dowding who stated that:

""This high figure really is of concern and might be one of the reasons why the British hedgehog population is thought to be declining.

"It's difficult to tell exactly how these animals are exposed to the chemicals.

"They may be eating them directly, scavenging on dead rodents that have been killed by the poison or eating their favourite diet of slugs and snails that have fed on the poison bait."

The study provided the following detailed findings:

• Exposure Rate: Out of 120 hedgehog carcasses examined, 67% (80 hedgehogs) showed direct exposure to rat poison.
• Urban Vulnerability: Hedgehogs in urban environments have significantly higher concentrations of toxic chemicals in their systems.
• Lethality: While secondary poisoning can cause fatal internal hemorrhaging, many die from chronic, compounding toxicity rather than immediate acute poisoning. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

For context, this threat exacerbates severe population declines. By comparison, human-related hazards like road traffic kill an estimated 100,000 to 335,000 hedgehogs every year in the UK -not to forget the deer5, foxes, badgers, otters and birds. Our roads arte the new "Killing fields".

Well, maybe Ms Clark has not heard of the Bristol study -it was in 2009 after all.  It should also be pointed out that for over 20 years I have stated and challenged rodentiocides available to buy in shops.  There ARE alternatives to rodenticides.

Also, tut tut.... only the public are to blame? In the Bristol Fox Study two of the foxes that were necropsied died due to rodenticide -NOT the one available to the public but second gen as used by Bristol City Council and although the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) told us that the report was considered "not for the public" as it covered up misuse of rodenticide and lack of regular checking by Bristol City Council.

You have regular visiting hedgehogs for over 20 years. Rodenticide is put down (by BCC)  and two dead hedgehogs and the rest not seen again. After a gap of almost a year new hogs have appeared. There is your science.

Do NOT Interfere With An Active Fox Den

 

image used for illustration purposes

 Here is a problem we get all the time. Based on the response from the group it seems that studying the law regarding wildlife you deal with is a bore. Just as four badger cubs were transported without any documentation or license from the Isle of Wight to Somerset it seems that wildlife groups bend the law when it suits them.

On Greenwich Wildlife Network:

"We’ve found a fox and initially five (but now maybe three) cubs in a building site in kings X (between the British library and the Francis Crick Institute). We feel they may need to be moved before the building gets more intense?"

Adice: "Hi David, Unfortunately it isn't as simple as just moving foxes. Foxes are highly territorial animals, so if you remove them from their territory and place them somewhere else, they can be attacked by resident foxes and may struggle to find food, shelter and safe den sites.

There is also no guarantee that an entire family group could be trapped. You could easily end up leaving cubs or adults behind, separating the family and creating an even bigger welfare problem.

The good news is that foxes will often move cubs between several backup dens if they feel disturbed or unsafe, so they may relocate themselves as activity on the site increases.

We'd recommend contacting https://fox-a-gon.co.uk/ for advice on encouraging the family to move on naturally and humanely.

We would also strongly advise against using pest control companies that offer "humane relocation". In reality there is no genuinely humane way to relocate wild foxes long distances. Many foxes removed from their territory do not survive, and some companies may euthanise foxes despite using more reassuring language in their advertising.

If the site is due to be developed, it may also be worth speaking to the site manager so they are aware of the foxes' presence and can avoid any active den areas where possible"

I made it clear:

"Also it is illegal to tamper with an active den with cubs in: it is illegal and highly unethical to move, block, or destroy an active fox den while cubs are present. Under the UK's Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1995, intentionally causing suffering, crushing, or trapping animals inside a den is an offense. Everyone has now been notified publicly that there is a den and cubs so until dispersal season (around July) you cannot move. British Fox and Wild Canid Study f 1976"

Have We LOST The War For The Environment and Wildlife?

 Simply: YES

People are not interested in standing up for anything outside of their houses and driveways. People do not stop when they hit wildlife and do not care if the animal takes hours to die -"Shouldn't be on the road" is the usual response.  

Mature growth trees chopped down ("unavoidable") -"so what?"

It is now declared that "five new towns" will be built around Bristol (we've already seen the damage one "new suburb" underway has done).  NOT towns but in reality suburbs and guess where some will be built? Green sites and on traditionally wildlife rich areas because "they are pretty sites".

We are going to see an increase in wildlife and particularly badger, deaths during building due to site traffic and poisonous/hazardous materials left out. That is standard. Once pushed out of traditional clan territories WHERE will the badgers go? Onto the new builds where a developer will "get rid of them on the quiet"?  Certainly you can be assured that new home owners will be driving their cars over or through wildlife.

Corrupt local authorities and corrupt governments don't care and they know that the great British 'animal loving' public will simply sit back and let them do what they want.

After 50+ years I can tell you that no matter how hard we battle the war is lost because in reality NO ONE really cares.

Can someone stop a rescuer treating sick wildlife? (they try -regularly)

legally, they generally cannot prevent authorized professionals or a member of the public from taking a sick, injured, or orphaned wild animal to a vet or rescue for adequate treatment. However, in practice, bystanders can create conflict, and there are varying rules depending on the situation and location. [1, 2]

The Legal Standing (UK)

Taking for Treatment: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 legally permits anyone to take a sick, injured, or protected wild animal from the wild for the express purpose of providing it with adequate treatment and supportive care until it is fit to be released. [1]
Prevention Rights: A member of the public does not "own" the wildlife on their property. Therefore, they do not have the legal right to stop an authorized person (like an RSPCA officer or a licensed wildlife rehabilitator) from recovering or helping an animal in distress.

Private Property and Trespass

Access Rights: Private landowners can prevent rescuers from physically entering their land based on trespass laws. However, if an animal is in distress, rescuers often work with local authorities to negotiate access or involve the police to prevent an animal from being subjected to unnecessary suffering. [1, 2]
Interfering with a Rescue: Intentionally obstructing a lawful wildlife rescue or abusing a rescuer can escalate into a civil dispute or even a criminal offense, particularly if the prevention leads to cruelty or a protected species being harmed. [1]

Handling and Ethics

Intervention Debates: While people generally cannot stop rescuers, there is an ongoing ethical debate surrounding the rescue of wildlife. Some individuals believe in the natural order of things (survival of the fittest) and may voice frustration or try to stop well-meaning rescuers from intervening, though this does not grant them a legal right to stop the rescue. [1, 2]
The Danger of "Killing with Kindness": The British Wildlife Rehabilitation Council actively warns that while the public's intentions are compassionate, unlicensed or untrained individuals attempting to keep and treat wild animals themselves can cause more harm or delay necessary veterinary care. [1]

How to Handle Confrontation

If a property owner or bystander is attempting to obstruct a rescue, professional organizations strongly advise the following steps: [1]

Avoid confrontation: Step away to ensure personal safety.
Document the situation: Note the location, the animal's condition, and the person preventing the rescue.
Involve authorities: Contact the Police or a national animal welfare charity (such as the RSPCA in the UK) to handle the dispute and ensure the animal receives the care it needs. [1, 2]

Just To Make People Understand

 

 The New Hunting Ban

Do you want these men to have more of a say on hunting than you?

A Freedom of Information request by The New Hunting Ban has exposed the pro-hunting lobbyists invited to a government “round table” meeting on hunting law, while the consultation on trail hunting continues.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has refused to disclose what was discussed, claiming that releasing the contents of the meeting “would not be in the public interest”.

So here’s the question: whose interests are being protected?

It is our duty to make sure the voices of those who promote the suffering and death of our wildlife are drowned out by those who love animals and want hunting with dogs ended for good.

Take part in the consultation. Tell the government a ban on trail hunting alone will not be enough. The Hunting Act must be strengthened to end hunting properly.

There's less than two weeks left before the consultation closes - the most comprehensive guidance on completing it can be found here: https://thenewhuntingban.com/trail-hunting-consultation

#TheNewHuntingBan

Cat V Fox?

 

I must admit that I am gradually losing my patience with people claiming a fox keeps attacking their cat and they end up at the vets all the time spending more money.

Do they have video footage of these attacks? You get two answers:

1) No

2) I do but calling me a liar I am not going to share it

2 above after politely asking. I've had three people who apparently just stood and watched as "foxes tore my cat apart". I, for one, would not stand by and watch my pet being attacked. Basically, it's a lie.

WHY can these people not tell you which vet is continually treating their cats after fox attacks? As one insisted their cat was seen by a vet I checked with the only two vets in the area in question. Never had any cat in attacked by a fox. "Who said it was a vet locally?" screeched the group moderator (a friend of the complainer).

In 50 years I have NEVER seen a fox attack a cat. In a wildlife survey in London back in the 1960s it was noted that foxes "ran like hell" when a cat came at them. I cannot find any historical or genuine modern account of a fox attacking and killing a cat.

In the last 20 years I have had occasion to rescue 5 different adult foxes that were cornered outside (by different cats)).

"Bella" the semi feral black cat that lived next door was a regular for attacking foxes and even twice had to be stopped as she jumped on foxes backs and went for a neck bite to kill it. I have on video two different cats that were stalking foxes.

Foxes can bite but a cat has 4 sets of claws and very nasty sharp teeth. Cats have all the attack advantages.

Cats fighting other cats -a fox was seen so it is to blame. A neighbour's dog has a go at a cat -a fox is to blame., This country has truly no interest in facts just blame it on...the badger...the fox...deer....otter. The biggest threat to pet cats are the owners at times so present veterinary reports or video footage or just shut up.

"The UK is currently one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth"

 

"The UK is currently one of the most nature-depleted countries on Earth, with an average 19% decline in species abundance since 1970. Nearly 1 in 6 (16%) of the over 10,000 studied species are threatened with extinction, placing the country in the bottom 10% globally for biodiversity intactness"

http://stateofnature.org.uk/