Hedgehogs Face Extinction Threat as Populations Plummet

The Western European hedgehog is now classified as 'near threatened' due to habitat loss and human activities.

The IUCN Red List has downgraded the conservation status of the Western European hedgehog from 'least concern' to 'near threatened'.
Hedgehog populations have decreased by 16-33% in several European countries over the past decade, with some areas experiencing declines up to 75%.
Primary threats include habitat fragmentation from urban development, road traffic, and the use of pesticides that reduce their food sources.
Conservationists urge simple actions like creating 'hedgehog highways' and reducing pesticide use to support population recovery.
The IUCN report also highlights that 38% of the world's tree species are threatened, emphasizing the broader biodiversity crisis.