A hundred hedgehog tunnels installed in Caen: radars confirm their usefulness
By Quentin Dos Santos Melgar
Published on
Urban space is increasingly eating away at natural space. Many animals are victimsespecially the hedgehogs. It is not uncommon for them to cross paths with a car that they cannot dodge.
Based on this observation, the Mammalogic Normand Group launched in June 2021 a project to “road for hedgehogs”. The principle is to relate the properties between them through a passage, in a fence or in a wall. Thus, on November 26, 2022, the association set up in a private garden to the east of Caen (Calvados) son 100e passage.
Why create passages?
Despite its small size, the hedgehog moves a lot. It can go through several kilometers at night, to look for food, water or shelter. The idea is above all to avoid for the hedgehogs arriving on a road, synonymous for them with mortal danger.
An approach originating in England
The initiative proposed by the Groupe Mammalogique Normand is inspired by a similar approach originating in England. According to a 2018 report by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, a third of urban hedgehogs have disappeared in 20 years.
It was enough to launch the principle of “Hedgehog Highways” (hedgehog highways). The garment for thousands of enthusiasts in the country movement, who design their own passage.
These smoking passages take the form of a hole about 15 centimeters in diameter, cut in a fence or dug in a wall. In the long term, the mammalian group wishes to create a true mesh of dedicated paths in the city of Caen.
Click here to see the route map
With the arrival of winter, the work continues
During the harsh winter months, hedgehogs hibernate and slow down their activity. However, the association does not stop its work. Passageways will be set up all winter long to allow the animals to return after the season with new paths.
In addition to passages, hedgehog lodges are also planned in Caen. These lodgings have the function of sheltering nests of hedgehogs.
The first is already deployed in Garden of plants. The second should be installed within a few months in the Saint-Jean cemetery, and ” three more waiting to be installed”, as explained by Nicolas Klatka, in charge of the program.
A model to follow
This initiative was unpublished when it was launched in France. It developed gradually in other big cities (Tours, Toulouse), and also in Normandy with in particular two projects:
- A Val-de-Reuil (Eure). The city collaborates with the GMN for the enhancement of biodiversity and the installation of hedgehog passages over a weekend.
- A Rouen (Seine-Maritime). Where passages are planned for 2023.
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