Hedgehog protection

​​Why they are protected

Hedgehogs are not native to Jersey. They were introduced in the middle 1800s.

They have no natural predators on the Island, such as badgers or foxes, but they face other threats.

Hedgehog on Woodland Trust

​Red squirrels in Jersey are protected under the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021.​

Habitat and threats

Hedgehogs are found across Jersey in valleys, farmland and gardens. Their breeding season is from May to the end of October.

After the end of November, any young hedgehog which has not reached a safe weight for hibernation may not survive the winter in the wild.

​Threats to hedgehogs include:

• litter, as they can get trapped in plastic bags, dustbin liners, crisp packets or others
• garden and agricultural machinery, esp​ecially around branchage time
• swimming pools
• vehicles collisions

Rats, feral ferrets and dogs may attack them and kill them. Cats can pose a threat to very young hedgehogs before they are independent of the mother.

Conservation efforts

The Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group cares for sick, injured or orphaned hedgehogs found in Jersey.

Hedgehogs are treated under the guidance and supervision of a local veterinary surgery.

Once they are fit, they are released back into the wild as near to the place where they were found. They also have a tagging system for hedgehogs which helps with their general research.

Jersey Hedgehog Preservation Group

How you can help

To help us protect hedgehogs:

• provide food and water especially in periods of dry weather
• allow access between gardens and neighbouring countryside
• if you have a garden pond or swimming pool, provide climbing material to allow escape

Do not use slug pellets or other poisons. These are passed along the foodchain and can kill hedgehogs.

Report your wildlife sightings

Reporting your wildlife sightings helps us understand our species, supports our research and informs decision-making.

Report your wildlife sightings​