It is known: the hedgehog is not doing very well. For example, thousands of hedgehogs die in traffic every year. But the spiny animal is also at risk in our gardens. For example, many people are in the habit of mowing the lawn at night with a robotic lawnmower. Just the moment when the hedgehog and other nocturnal animals in the garden look for food.
Hedgehogs curl up when they perceive danger. However, robotic mowers do not budge. A collision with such a small lawn mower often results in deep cuts to hedgehogs, for example on the back or on the snout. Often resulting in death.
Natuurpunt therefore wants a nightly ban on robotic mowers. Let them charge overnight, but not drive, the association calls. Some municipalities in Wallonia already have such a ban. Robotic lawn mower manufacturers also recommend not to use them at night. On the one hand to protect nocturnal animals, but also because the wet grass can damage the mower.
Natuurpunt also calls on owners of such mowers to pay close attention to the distance between the mower’s protective cover and the ground. It should not be larger than 4.5 centimeters. That way young hedgehogs are less likely to be injured or even chopped up.
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