The majority of garden injuries and deaths are caused by the use of Strimmers.
Hedgehogs are in serious decline in the UK with present population estimates of less than one million hedgehogs where in the 1950's the estimates put the numbers at around 36 million.
It is very important that we work to stop and reverse this decline and the number of hedgehogs seriously injured or killed through gardening injuries does not help the situation.
The solution to avoiding these unnecessary injuries is as simple as checking before you work in the garden. A few minutes checking the garden edges, in long grass and under shrubs before using the mower or strimmer can save a hedgehog from serious injury or death.
Click the link below to see examples of the injuries sustained by hedgehogs through strimmer use. Large areas of soft tissue loss, all soft tissue lost from the head, limbs lost and severe and unrecoverable laceration.
http://www.willowshedgehogrescue.co.uk/willows-hedgehog-rescue-strimmer-campaign.html
Views: 241
Replies
It is definitely a good reminder to everyone though!
It's not an easy task to inspect every nook and cranny before strimming/mowing.
To be honest I'd not given hedgehogs a thought in the past, when using a strimmer. Having seen the images of injured hedgehogs, I thought it worth of consideration.
Only last week I uncovered a mother with two pink skinned babies whilst clearing a piece of ground with a digger. Luckily I didn't appear to do any harm and I quickly covered the family back over again.
I do find it difficult to believe that there are as few as one million hedgehogs left in the UK though.
i think a big over-sight is that most countryside these days is worked mechanically with little hands on work involved, so many hedgehogs are overlooked -on one of my 5 acre fields their are at least 6 different hedgehogs in the boundaries - have seen all 6 raiding a feed trough! The area around is all farmed the same and similar management and few busy roads - extrapolated out thats alot of hedgehogs!
The biggest threat to the rural hedgehoggle is the badger, they do eat alot of them!
Perhaps the Urban hedgehog is declining more with less gardens, more concrete gravel boards limiting movement and more cars.
Update: Three machinery manufacturers have responded:
http://www.willowshedgehogrescue.co.uk/willows-hedgehog-rescue-stri...
Manufacturer responses so far
STIHL GB (Andreas Stihl Ltd) Stilh GB
STIHL were the first manufacturer to respond indicating that they would pass our request onto the relevant departments. Within a few hours we have received a direct response to our request with STIHL GB offering to do the following:
STIHL have also informed us that they take 'the topic of wildlife preservation very seriously and appreciate you bringing this issue to the forefront'. They also encourage all their UK dealers to promote wildlife awareness and to check before working.
Our thanks to Rebecca from STIHL GB and we would love to work with you to help reduce injuries to hedgehogs and all wildlife.
Makita UK Makita UK Ltd
Makita UK are the second manufacturer to respond to our contact. Sadly Makita feel unable to help beyond wishing us well.
They have pointed out that all of their products are manufactured abroad and come into the UK in sealed pallets which excludes them from any input into labeling etc.
They have suggested that we contact retailers of the products, local authorities and gardening companies directly to raise awareness.
Husqvarna Group Husqvarna
Husqvarna are the second manufacturer to respond to our contact. They own a number of brands including Flymo.
They have responded detailing that it is the users responsibility to use the equipment safely. They have pointed out that they include wildlife awareness in their operator manuals the extent of which is displayed below!
Husqvarna Group have said that they have forwarded our email to their head office in Sweden for further consideration.