Hedgehogs are becoming an increasingly rare sight in Northern Ireland and are now classified as Near Threatened across Europe. Tidier gardens, fewer wild areas, fencing replacing hedgerows, a lack of insect prey, use of pesticides and road traffic collisions have all played a part.

Research emerging from across the UK and Ireland suggests hedgehogs are retreating to towns and cities, and that urban gardens may be their last refuge. However, almost nothing is known about how hedgehogs navigate urban environments locally and what obstacles they face.

To address this gap, the local nature conservation charity is tracking hedgehogs in urban areas across Northern Ireland throughout the year to build a bigger picture to inform conservation efforts.

Selected hedgehogs are located and fitted with a small, lightweight GPS tag, under licence from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. This is temporarily attached to the hedgehog’s spines, like a backpack, and remains in place for a few days before being safely removed, causing it no harm. Only males are chosen, so as not to disturb nesting females.

To support the project, the first hedgehog detection dog for Ireland is also being trained by Conservation Detection Dogs NI, to help staff locate hedgehogs more efficiently. The dogs will also be trained to track down the prized tags if they fall off. 

The technology allows the charity to map exactly where the hedgehogs travel each night, including how many gardens they pass through, the roads they navigate, where they find food, and where they rest.

Katy Bell, Senior Conservation Officer with Ulster Wildlife, said, “After long nights patiently staking out gardens and waiting for hedgehogs to appear, the initial results have been absolutely fascinating. We’re seeing hedgehogs travel through multiple gardens in a single night and cross busy roads – a heart-in-the-mouth moment that shows the reality of the challenges these at-risk mammals face. 

“We know from studies elsewhere in the UK that hedgehogs can travel up to 3km a night. That means they rely on whole neighbourhoods – not just one garden – to survive. What we don’t yet know is how that plays out in Northern Ireland, but, even at this early stage, we are seeing just how important connected green spaces are. We are really excited to see what the rest of the project reveals.”

The project is supported by Power NI, Northern Ireland’s leading electricity supplier, and DAERA through the Carrier Bag Levy.

“We are delighted to support this pioneering project, which will provide vital insights into the lives of hedgehogs in Northern Ireland and help protect a species that is increasingly at risk,” said Lucy McCullough of Power NI. 

“At Power NI, we believe it is important to invest in initiatives that deliver genuine benefits for nature and local communities, and we’re proud to partner with Ulster Wildlife to help with positive conservation action.”

The charity aims to tag several hedgehogs before they hibernate again in the autumn, as part of a survey protocol designed in consultation with researchers from Nottingham Trent University. As more animals are tracked over the coming months, the project will build a better understanding of their hidden lives, helping to inform conservation action and wildlife-friendly urban planning.

Maureen Carvill, Wildlife Gardening Officer with Ulster Wildlife, explains: “For the first time, we’ll be able to work directly with households and housing associations using real, Northern Ireland-specific hedgehog data. 

“This will help people make simple but powerful changes – like creating wildlife corridors or ‘hedgehog highways’ to connect gardens, reducing the use of harmful substances such as slug pellets, and supporting calls for traffic calming measures in known hedgehog hotspots.

“We’ve already had great engagement, and it has been wonderful to see people taking action for hedgehogs in their gardens. 

“Ultimately, it’s about making neighbourhoods more welcoming and better connected for hedgehogs, using evidence we’ve never had before in Northern Ireland.”

The charity is also calling upon the public to play their part by making their gardens more hedgehog-friendly. 

How to help hedgehogs:

• Create hedgehog-sized holes in fences (13cm x 13cm) to connect gardens and allow safe movement.
• Leave wild areas such as log piles, leaf piles, or compost heaps for nesting.
• Plant native species like honeysuckle, dog rose, hawthorn, and blackthorn to provide insect food for hedgehogs. A patch of nettles, dandelions and longer grass is also ideal.
• Avoid pesticides and slug pellets.
• Always check for hedgehogs before mowing, strimming, or lighting bonfires.
• Leave a shallow dish of water out for them.

For more wildlife gardening advice, sign up to 'Let Nature In' - Ulster Wildlife's gardening campaign - and get your FREE starter pack.

If you are fortunate enough to have a hedgehog visitor, please report your sightings