London Neighbors Build Hedgehog Highway to Save Species

A simple idea in Barnes, London is helping one of Britain's most beloved animals survive right in the heart of the capital.

When Michel Birkenwald discovered a hedgehog living in his garden, he launched a campaign that transformed his neighborhood. Now, dozens of homes across Barnes have created small openings in their fences and walls, forming what locals call the "hedgehog highway."

Alice Mallorie drilled a passage through her thick Victorian garden wall to join the effort. "Being able to see any wildlife in your garden is good for the soul," she told BBC London.

The tunnels solve a critical problem for hedgehogs. Unlike squirrels and foxes that can leap and climb, hedgehogs are small with short legs. Roads, fences, and walls block them from reaching food, shelter, and potential mates.

Mallorie's garden now includes feeding stations for the nocturnal creatures. "They're going down in numbers, so there's something about them which is vulnerable and charming," she said.

The stakes are high. Up to 75% of Britain's rural hedgehogs have vanished since 2000, and the species is now classified as vulnerable to extinction. Cities like London represent crucial refuges where hedgehogs can still survive.

Kate Scott-Gatty from the Zoological Society of London studies urban hedgehog populations using camera traps across 21 boroughs. Her team has gathered millions of images showing where hedgehogs remain active. Barnes emerged as a key hotspot for the species.

The Ripple Effect

What started with one resident's simple discovery has spread across an entire community. Neighbors who might never have met now share a common purpose, creating connected green spaces that benefit all urban wildlife.

The hedgehog highway shows how small actions add up. Each hole cut in a fence, each tunnel drilled through a wall, expands the territory these animals can safely explore. Together, these openings form corridors that help hedgehogs find everything they need to thrive.

The approach is catching on beyond Barnes. Other London neighborhoods are creating their own wildlife corridors, proving that cities can support nature when residents work together.

One neighborhood's love for a prickly visitor is rewriting the future for an entire species.