The number of hedgehogs which have died on Maltese roads in the past two months has increased. And according to Nature Trust Malta, it's partly because their homeland and green spaces are being redeveloped.

Nature Trust Malta says it’s received around 60 calls this year alone from people who’ve found hedgehogs in distress across the islands. The cold snap we’ve had in recent weeks has also had an impact, as it’s made the mammals lethargic, which means they cannot outrun cars, dogs and cats.

Habitat under threat

“It’s crisis management for us right now,” says Executive President of Nature Trust Malta, Vincent Attard. “Development sprawl means that the natural habitats of hedgehogs are under threat and it’s forcing them to leave their safe homes in the wild and wander into urban areas in search of food. They especially like cat food, but this means they face being attacked. We’ve rescued a lot of hedgehogs who had scratches from cats or dog bites.”

Slow down

In 2015, 60 road signs were erected across Malta and Gozo warning drivers to slow down as there may be hedgehogs in the area. And now – given the rise in deaths - there are fresh calls to put up even more.   

Right now, staff and volunteers at Nature Trust Malta are forced to take sick or injured hedgehogs home while they wait for Government to allocate an area to be used as a sanctuary. “When we get a call it’s always a conflict for us whether to take a hedgehog away from where it was found or not. You might be recusing a mother, but there could be six little baby hedgehogs who are depending on her to survive.”

While the EU and Environment Research Agency have allocated €2 million for a wildlife centre to be erected in Malta, it won’t be completed until 2021.Until then, hedgehogs will have to depend on the kindness of staff and volunteers at Nature Trust Malta and other wildlife NGOs... but you can help too!

If you’ve found a hedgehog or would like to adopt one, you can contact 9999 9505 or email [email protected]