The Fatal Consequences of Letting Robotic Lawnmowers Drive at Night for Hedgehogs

Death often comes at dusk. Whenever the hedgehogs are looking for food. If they hear unfamiliar noises, the animals quickly curl up. But with a robotic lawnmower, that often doesn’t do anything. As soon as the hedgehog gets under the rotating blades, it’s too late. It is not uncommon for the animal to die, or at least it is seriously injured.

“This is our daily bread,” says Tania Schäfer from the wildlife aid in Offenbach. 2,500 animals come to her station every year, including 600 hedgehogs. More and more of these animals have been badly mauled by automatic mowing robots. In the best case, “serious cut injuries” remained. However, mutilations are the norm. Young hedgehog offspring are “simply mowed to death”. Because a hedgehog is not a flight animal. If danger threatens, he curls up. Its spikes are its only protection. Even if a hedgehog is injured, it remains mute. Because every peep, even the smallest squeak, could attract more predators. Hedgehogs can scream, says Schäfer. Only died become quiet.