Have you seen a hedgehog around your home or on campus? Would you like to contribute to citizen science and wildlife conservation? Head over to the BIG Hedgehog Map, which is working to create a UK-wide map of hedgehog sightings and raise awareness of the challenges this iconic mammal faces.
Hedgehogs were once a familiar sight across the UK. However, since the turn of the millennium, their numbers have declined by a third in urban areas and by half in rural locations. By logging your sightings on the BIG Hedgehog Map, you can help gather vital data to better understand this decline, identify the factors behind it, and explore how it can be reversed.
So, if you’re lucky enough to spot a hedgehog, why not take a few moments to record it on the map? You’ll also find simple tips to help hedgehogs in your garden or local area, and more information about the challenges they face. You can even join over 27,000 others by becoming a Hedgehog Champion.
This platform is shared by the Hedgehog Action Group, a group of staff and students established in September 2025 who meet monthly to plan and undertake activities that help make our campus more hedgehog friendly. Through collaboration, awareness‑raising and practical action, the group works to protect hedgehogs and improve habitats across the University. If you are interested in getting involved, please email es@manchester.ac.uk.