Hedgehogs are one of Northern Ireland’s most recognisable and much-loved mammals, yet they are in decline and increasingly under pressure. Habitat loss, tidier gardens, fewer insects, fragmentation of green spaces, and busy roads make it harder for hedgehogs to find food, shelter and safe routes through the landscape. 

Classified as a Priority Species in Northern Ireland and listed as Near Threatened across Europe, hedgehogs need conservation action informed by evidence. 

As a science-led conservation organisation, Ulster Wildlife is working to understand better how hedgehogs use our towns and cities through a combination of scientific research and conservation so we can help our prickly friends thrive.  

Why we’re tracking hedgehogs in Northern Ireland  

Despite their popularity, hedgehogs remain poorly understood in Northern Ireland, and historically, there has been little detailed, localised data on their behaviour or distribution. 

To address this, we are undertaking Northern Ireland’s first GPS hedgehog tracking project. This initiative builds on methods used elsewhere in the UK and Ireland and has been developed in consultation with external researchers, 

By fitting a small number of hedgehogs with lightweight, temporary GPS tags under licence, we can map and better understand: 

• Where hedgehogs travel each night
• How far they move
• Which habitats they use
• How roads and other barriers affect their movements
• Where they forage and nest 

Early findings support what researchers have seen elsewhere: hedgehogs rely on connected landscapes rather than isolated pockets of habitat. Some individuals move through multiple gardens in a single night, showing just how important wildlife-friendly neighbourhoods are for their survival.  

This project also builds on wider collaborative research, including initiatives like the Irish Hedgehog Survey delivered in partnership with the University of Galway, which has helped improve our understanding of hedgehog distribution across the island of Ireland. 

GPS tagging and the welfare of hedgehogs  

Animal welfare is at the heart of this project. 

The tracking project is licensed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency and follows strict welfare protocols. Only healthy hedgehogs of an appropriate size are fitted with tags, and handling is kept to an absolute minimum. 

The GPS devices are lightweight, non-invasive and temporarily attached to a hedgehog's spines. They are removed after a short monitoring period and are also designed to detach naturally over time. 

Our trained staff closely monitor the animals involved and can also respond to welfare concerns encountered during fieldwork, including helping injured hedgehogs access veterinary care where needed. 

Every aspect of the project is carefully designed to balance animal welfare with the conservation benefits that the research can provide. The information gathered offers valuable insights that would otherwise be impossible to obtain and will help guide future conservation efforts. 

How GPS tracking supports hedgehog conservation  

Collecting data is only the first step. The real value comes from using what we learn to improve habitats and reduce the challenges hedgehogs face. 

The findings from the tracking project will help inform practical conservation actions, including: 

• Creating hedgehog highways to reconnect fragmented habitats
• Improving urban green spaces for wildlife
• Identifying road collision hotspots
• Supporting wildlife-friendly planning decisions
• Encouraging nature-friendly gardening and reducing the use of harmful chemicals  

• Engaging with local communities on how to manage habitat for hedgehogs. 

By understanding how hedgehogs move through our landscapes, we can focus conservation efforts where they will have the greatest impact. 

This approach reflects Ulster Wildlife's wider commitment to evidence-led conservation, where research helps shape practical solutions for species and habitats across Northern Ireland. 

How you can help hedgehogs in your garden  

Conservation success depends on people as well as wildlife. 

Through this project, households, schools, churches and local communities are already taking action to make spaces more hedgehog-friendly by creating habitat, reducing pesticide use and improving connections between gardens. 

While hedgehog tracking is carried out only by trained and licensed professionals, there are plenty of ways everyone can help. Leaving wild corners in gardens, creating small gaps in fences and planting for insects can all make a real difference. Our “Let Nature In” wildlife gardening campaign, provides advice and guidance for anyone keen to get started.  We are also keen to hear about your hedgehog sightings, so please report them. 

Small changes, multiplied across neighbourhoods, can create a network of connected spaces that support hedgehogs and many other species. 

Improving conservation through science 

As a science-led organisation, we are committed to ensuring our conservation advice is accurate, evidence-based and regularly reviewed. 

As new research emerges, our understanding of wildlife continues to grow. That means conservation guidance evolves too. Whether it's advice about feeding hedgehogs, creating habitat or managing gardens for nature, we continually assess and update our recommendations to reflect the best available evidence. 

We also welcome constructive feedback and questions from the public. Open conversations help improve both our research and the way we communicate it. 

The future of hedgehog conservation in Northern Ireland 

Hedgehogs are more than a much-loved species; they are an indicator of the health of our environment. Their decline reflects wider challenges facing nature across Northern Ireland. 

By combining scientific research, high welfare standards and practical conservation action, we're building a clearer picture of what hedgehogs need to survive and thrive. 

The GPS tracking project is helping us move beyond assumptions and base conservation decisions on evidence. Alongside our wider work to protect species and habitats across Northern Ireland, it will help ensure that efforts to safeguard hedgehogs are guided by science and focused where they can make the greatest difference.