For what it's worth I've caught hedgehogs by accident in humane rat traps in the past (the shoebox sized cage types). All were released with no harm done and the traps modified to prevent further access. The A24 trap doesn't give them a second chance though if people make the same mistake.
From a balanced view point rats are a real problem in some areas and can cause havoc in gardens especially where people feed birds. The only viable lethal alternatives to the A24 trap are poison and shooting (and cats but lets not even go there). Poison has been shown to be very harmful to other wildlife such as owls and only a competant person should consider using a gun. The A24 is a good idea in principal but shouldn't be sold as it is until the design has been altered before sale to exclude hedgehogs. Personally I think the risk to stoats and similar mammals is also a problem but they don't have the legal protection that hedgehogs enjoy.
If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
LAST CHANCE TO SIGN THE PETITION IS 1ST JUNE 2018. The petition is still rather short of signatures - please add yours, share on social media and ask all your family and friends to sign. Thank you!
You seem to be quite active tonight @pbff. I agree it is terrible. However, I have never seen a real hedgehog in my life, only a pretend doorstop. Good cause though.
Yes I suppose I am a bit active! I haven't been on here for a few weeks and am now catching up a bit... It's unfortunate that you've never seen a real hedgehog. Doorstops just aren't the same Nor are photos, but you might like these perhaps? A baby hedgehog that I rescued last year.
Just signed the petition! We used to get lots of hedgehogs in the garden when I was young but they're almost gone completely around this area and very rare to see one at all. I'm guessing it's a lot to do with the how the woods and green spaces are all being taken over by housing. It's such a shame that they are so rare now. I know many children that have never seen a real one. I hope the petition goes well as trapping hedgehogs could have even more detrimental effect on their existence.
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From a balanced view point rats are a real problem in some areas and can cause havoc in gardens especially where people feed birds. The only viable lethal alternatives to the A24 trap are poison and shooting (and cats but lets not even go there). Poison has been shown to be very harmful to other wildlife such as owls and only a competant person should consider using a gun. The A24 is a good idea in principal but shouldn't be sold as it is until the design has been altered before sale to exclude hedgehogs. Personally I think the risk to stoats and similar mammals is also a problem but they don't have the legal protection that hedgehogs enjoy.
The petition is still rather short of signatures - please add yours, share on social media and ask all your family and friends to sign.
Thank you!
I haven't been on here for a few weeks and am now catching up a bit...
It's unfortunate that you've never seen a real hedgehog.
Doorstops just aren't the same
Nor are photos, but you might like these perhaps?
A baby hedgehog that I rescued last year.