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News9 January 2007 New scientific study supports Uist hedgehog relocationThe Uist Hedgehog Rescue (UHR)¹ coalition has welcomed a new scientific study² showing the relocation of hedgehogs from the Uists on the Outer Hebrides to mainland Scotland is humane. The study showed that 80 per cent of animals relocated to mainland Scotland survived when deaths from natural causes were taken into account. UHR has rescued relocated 756 hedgehogs from the Uists over the last four years. The rescue was initiated because the Uist Wader Project (UWP), consisting of Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), the Scottish Executive and RSPB Scotland, has been killing hedgehogs on the islands since 2003 in an attempt to improve the breeding success of ground-nesting birds. Some of the decline in the birds numbers has been attributed to the introduced hedgehogs predating on their eggs. Translocation of hedgehogs was considered as an option by the UWP, but rejected due to concerns that translocated animals would starve. UWP has so far killed 658 hedgehogs on the islands. In order to test how translocated hedgehogs fare, twenty hedgehogs from the Uists were released on the Scottish mainland at Eglinton Country Park, Irvine and radio tracked for a month to ascertain whether or not the animals were going to starve in their new environment. The study, published today in the journal Lutra, was undertaken by Hugh Warwick³. As was expected, some of the animals died from natural causes. Taking these deaths into account, the results indicate an 80% survival rate one month after translocation. If all early deaths by predation and drowning are attributed to the unfamiliarity of the translocated hedgehogs with the terrain, the survival rate was 67% one month after translocation. This should be contrasted with the 100% mortality experienced by hedgehogs at the hands of SNH. The study’s author, Hugh Warwick, said: "Although conclusions should be drawn with care due to the limited sample size, study period and research approach our study suggests that concerns over the welfare of translocated hedgehogs are not well-founded, thus questioning the principal objection to such an undertaking." Another study scientific, published last year, showed that hedgehogs can be translocated successfully after rehabilitation and that their release, onto mainland Britain, has no adverse effect on local hedgehog populations. The research, conducted by Professor Stephen Harris and other scientists at Bristol University, supports the findings of a wealth of previous studies conducted by hedgehog experts from around the world. Ross Minett, Spokesperson for UHR, said: "We welcome the findings of this latest study which adds to the wealth of information supporting a policy of relocation of the hedgehogs from the Uists. We are hopeful that SNH will re-assess its slaughter policy in light of this new evidence and choose to work with us to relocate instead of kill these animals." Notes to Editors 1. UHR consists of Advocates for Animals, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Hessilhead Wildlife Rescue Trust and International Animal Rescue. For more information see www.uhr.org.uk 2. ’Survival and weight changes of hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) translocated from the Hebrides to mainland Scotland’ is published in the latest issue of the scientific journal Lutra. The study was funded by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society. 3. Hugh Warwick, ecologist and journalist is available for interviews and can be contacted on 07815 042 452. He also has hi-resolution photographs of the radio-tracked hedgehogs. |
One thousand Uist hedgehogs relocated UIST Hedgehog Rescue moves hundreds more hedgehogs to mainland Scotland First hundred Uist hedgehogs released on mainland Scotland  |
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