Hedgehogs are coming out of hibernation, the “Sauve qui pique” association in Toulouse warns gardeners
In the driveway of her Toulouse neighborhood, Catherine Denoël is very angry. She sees more and more crushed hedgehogs on the side of the road. “It’s a 30 km/h section, but it’s not fast. It is an endangered mammal, you have to be very careful,” says the president of the Lapujade district. According to the association “Save who stings”, In Toulouse, the number of hedgehogs in France would have fallen by 70% in 20 years.
“There are more hedgehogs in the city than in the countryside.”
In this month of April, gardeners in town and in the company take advantage of milder days to work in their garden. Flat, this period coincides with the end of hibernation of hedgehogs. Mammals that have changed their lifestyle. “Hedgehogs have changed a bit in terms of habits, they is settling more and more in peri-urban and urban areas thanks to cats. Hedgehogs love kibble. Except that it’s not ideal for them since there is urban pressure with cars, holes etc.”explains Blandine Brey, president of the association “Sauve qui pique” in Toulouse.
Watch out for piles of leaves and hay
Mammals very present at the moment, hence this call for vigilance. “They’re coming out of hibernation, they’re going to start reproducing. It’s time to watch out for the pile of leaves that we burn for example, since they can sleep inside the day, or to babies under piles of hay. Without forgetting rotofilers, mowers, in particular automatic night mowers, swimming pools or fences”, adds the president who fights to preserve the small animal, which benefits from a status of total protection by the decree of April 17, 1983.
“Never pick up a hedgehog to put it in your home.”
If you want to help the hedgehogs, it’s possible, but know that‘You should never give milk or bread. “They like it, they feed on it, but it triggers colic which can sometimes kill them. So you have to opt for kibble and water. And if you come across an unhealthy hedgehog, you can take you to the care center of the Toulouse Veterinary School. On the other hand, never get it back, to put it in your house, on the pretext that he will be safe, especially at this time now. The females are pregnant or already have young. If you move them to send them elsewhere, far from their nest, babies will die. So help them by getting them off the road and getting them to safety yes, but never picking them up from your house”concluded Blandine Brey.