Proceedings of the Third International Hedgehog Workshop 29-30 January 1999 Edited by: Nigel Reeve |
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ABSTRACTS
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© Roehampton Institute London, 1999 http://www.roehampton.ac.uk
Title: Proceedings of the Third International Hedgehog Workshop of the European Hedgehog Research Group: 29-30 January 1999 Edited by: Nigel Reeve
Typesetting and graphic design by Nigel Reeve. Printed by Roehampton Institute London, Roehampton Lane, London, SW15 5PU
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN 1 902743 03 2
Copies of this book may be ordered from: Dr. Nigel Reeve School of Life Sciences Whitelands College (Roehampton Institute London) West Hill London SW15 3SN email: n.reeve@roehampton.ac.uk FOREWORD
The first International Hedgehog Workshop
of the European Hedgehog Research Group (EHRG) was held in Arendal, Norway
in April 1996. Beate Johansen, the organiser of that meeting, had achieved
something remarkable. For the first time, scientists and carers from several
european countries assembled specifically to exchange information and develop
ideas about research into hedgehogs. That first workshop forged lasting
friendships and initiated new collaborative projects. At the same time,
Beate greatly improved contacts between researchers by creating a mailing
list and setting up a web site for the EHRG at http://www.grida.no/ngo/hedgehog/
which contained abstracts and information from the workshop, as well as
contacts and links to other web sites. Although it can still be accessed,
this web site is no longer maintained. An important project for the near
future is to find a new home and manager for the site so that it can be
revitalised.
The second meeting was organised principally
by Benedikt Föger as a satellite meeting of the XXV International
Ethological Conference in Vienna, Austria, in August 1997. The same collaborative
and productive atmosphere was very much in evidence. The proceedings of
that meeting, edited by Marcel Huijser, were sent out to all EHRG members
and were included in the mail shot last year that called for papers for
this third workshop. Unfortunately, many people were unable to attend the
Vienna meeting. During the summer, many scientists are busy with field
projects and most carers are frantically trying to cope with an endless
stream of injured and orphan hedgehogs. For these reasons, it was decided
that the third meeting would be in January, usually a quiet time for hedgehogs.
The EHRG is primarily a scientific research
group, but it is a key aim that scientists and carers should exchange information
and work together to improve our knowledge of hedgehogs. There are many
opportunities for carers to participate in and carry out scientific research
of many kinds. Some projects, such as studies of population genetics, may
contribute mainly theoretical knowledge, whereas others may aim directly
to help improve the way animals are treated, cared for and released to
the wild. The results of several such fruitful collaborations will be reported
in the papers at this meeting.
As editor of these proceedings I have edited
many of the abstracts submitted either to improve the english or to shorten
them to a more acceptable length - although some remain very long. Because
of the short time I have had to get this booklet to press, not all authors
will have had the chance to comment on my changes. I can only apologise
if I have unwittingly introduced any errors.
Nigel Reeve
ABSTRACT 1 Location of hedgehog traffic victims
in relation to landscape features
Hedgehog traffic victims are very common
in the Netherlands. Mitigation measures have a better chance of being successful
if the victims are concentrated on certain locations and if these locations
can be identified through the composition of the landscape adjacent to
a road. Volunteers recorded the location of hedgehog traffic victims along
20 monitoring routes (514.5 km road length and 942 reported victims in
total). We described a number of road characteristics, the landscape type
and various aspects of a great number of landscape elements along these
routes. Hedgehog traffic victims appear to be widely scattered, but their
location is not random. There are both positive and negative effects on
the number of traffic victims of certain road characteristics, landscape
types and landscape elements. Wide roads have a greater barrier effect
than narrow roads but they have less traffic victims. Illumination by lamp
posts increases the barrier effect of a road too. Hedgehog traffic victims
are found more frequently in forests and (sub)urban areas than in agricultural
areas, salt marshes or open sand dunes. In locations where parks or other
urban green spaces, a forest's edge, hedgerows, or a row of trees are present
directly adjacent to a road, 36-47% more hedgehog traffic victims can be
expected than on locations where these elements are at least 100 m away
from the road. Grass in road-side verges also leads to an increase in traffic
victims. If linear elements such as a forests edge, hedgerows, or a row
of trees are oriented perpendicular to a road, 20-27% more victims are
expected to occur compared to a situation where these elements are oriented
in a more parallel way. Other landscape elements like arable land and heathland
result in less hedgehog traffic victims. The results can be used to identify
risk-locations and may serve as guidelines for the creation of ecological
barriers and/or ecological corridors in combination with wildlife passages.
ABSTRACT 2 Highway construction in the range of
a local hedgehog population
Hedgehog populations were studied in southern-most
Sweden for two years as a consequence of a highway construction project
running outside the city of Malmö. This city is to be connected by
the bridge crossing the Öresund to Copenhagen in Denmark. During the
planning of the highway, it was decided, amongst other things, to survey
and document some of the animal species populations of the area before
construction started. Subsequently, the plan is to repeat these population
surveys when the highway is taken into use (planned for July 2000).
In this study 20 radio transmitters were
used on hedgehogs in order to track a local population in a small village
affected by the highway construction. The highway will be equipped with
some wildlife passages and ecoducts. In the next step, studies in the year
2000 and later will aim to evaluate the benefit, if any, of these constructions
from the point of view of hedgehogs and other wildlife.
Some of the hedgehogs, predominantly females,
were using smaller home range areas within the part of the village which
will be left intact but a significant number of animals (predominantly
males) were also using the parts which will be destroyed or separated from
the rest of the village by the highway in the future.
Hedgehogs were also tracked in another
small village not affected by the highway construction plans. From both
populations there are now data available on habitat use in summertime (June-July)
indicating the importance of waste ground and lawns for hedgehogs.
ABSTRACT 3 Action "Hedgehogs on the Lithuanian
roads"
Three thousand five hundred questionnaires
were distributed to the public in May of 1997. This was done by the members
of Lithuanian Theriological Society through the network of Lietuvos Kuras
fuel stations (130 stations) with the aim of ascertaining hedgehog mortality
on the Lithuanian roads. Only 136 (4%) of them were returned by 'action'
participants. The total distance driven was 11 159 km. They counted 153
squashed hedgehogs which makes 1.4 Ý0.9 hedgehogs per 100 km driven
per day. It was estimated that between 12 600 and 25 000 hedgehogs are
'flattened' on the Lithuanian roads each year. 97% of them are killed on
the paved roads.
Some data concerning the roadside habitats
in places where hedgehogs were commonly squashed were collected. It was
noticed that more hedgehogs than could be expected by chance, were killed
on the roads going through shrublands, meadows, pasture and settlements
whereas in areas of arable land and marshes less hedgehogs than could be
expected were killed.
Twenty percent of hedgehogs killed in Kaunas
region were 'flattened' in the environs of Kaunas' satellite town Garliava.
We recommended that an animal-proof fence should be built along the segment
of the major road E 67 (Via Baltica) in the Garliava region.
The need to undertake similar environmental
action in the future is stressed
ABSTRACT 4 Urban hedgehogs in Zurich, Switzerland:
spatial distribution & habitat use.
An urban hedgehog population was studied
by means of radio tracking in the city of Zürich (360 000 inhabitants,
65 kmÝ urban area). In order to get information on spatial distribution
and habitat use, 11 individuals were fitted with radio-transmitters and
followed during 35 complete nights. Additionally, in a public inquiry of
20 000 inhabitants interested in nature and animals 1383 observations of
hedgehogs were collected. These observations showed, that hedgehogs are
distributed over a large part of the city (69% of the total urban area).
Estimations in two core study areas showed, that hedgehogs can be quite
abundant (0.5 - 1 hedgehog per hectare). On the other hand, in the city
centre there are areas with very few or no hedgehogs at all. The low abundance
of hedgehogs in those areas is correlated with a very high degree of built-on
space with many houses, streets, places etc. and very little open space
such as parks, gardens etc.
The observations of the radio tracked individuals
showed, that during their nightly activity, hedgehogs preferred to stay
in back gardens, on green lawn around apartment houses, in courtyards with
open space (lawn, garden etc.) and in large gardens or parks with hedgerows
and trees. Normally hedgehogs search for food on lawns and meadows with
short cut grass, but also under bushes or near compost heaps. The average
maximum radius of the nightly range of urban hedgehogs (237Ý169m,
n=16 nights of 9 males) was substantially shorter than in rural hedgehogs,
therefore the home ranges of urban hedgehogs were smaller than those of
rural hedgehogs.
ABSTRACT 5 Habitat selection and foraging strategy
of the Eastern European hedgehog.
Foraging strategy and habitat selection
of the Eastern European hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor) were examined using
a spool-and-line technique. The investigation was carried out in Dzerbene
village which is located in an agricultural region of the northern part
of Latvia. The study was carried out from June 9 to August 21, 1998. Data
from 15 animals were obtained on 54 hedgehog nights. 12 animals were followed
only once in the study period and 3 were captured twice, giving a total
of 18 hedgehog nights of acceptable data.
In order to record the pathway of the animal
each hedgehog was fitted with a quilting spool. In one group, the animals
were fitted with one spool (284 m), while another group had two joined
spools that helped to extend the length of recorded pathway up to 568 m.
The area under study was divided into the
following habitat categories: short grass; long grass; grazed pasture;
root-crop plantations; bushes; hardwood lines and growth; coniferous woodland;
vegetation around water bodies; roads covered with asphalt; roads covered
with gravel; cart-roads and beaten tracks. Observations showed that hedgehogs
preferred to forage in hardwood lines (closed-canopy with no or poor ground
cover) and alongside the roads. Lawns, short cut meadows and grazed pastures
were also selected. Frequent use of roads and tracks, showed that hedgehogs
used them in two ways - to travel from one site to another and as foraging
areas. Besides the habitat types mentioned above, the large dung heaps
near cattle sheds seemed to be important foraging places because of great
amounts of invertebrate prey available there.
To relate the habitat used by a hedgehog
with prey availability, the entomofauna of the most used habitats were
also examined by pitfall trap catches.
This paper provides only the first results
of an ecological study of hedgehogs in Latvia using spool-and-line tracking,
therefore methodological problems are discussed and the necessity for further
work is considered.
ABSTRACT 6 Helminthes of the hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) in three Italian areas Giovanni Poglayen 1, S. Giannetto 1,
A. Scala 2, G. Garippa 2, G. Capelli 3, D. Scaravelli 4, M. Ferlazzo 1
The hedgehog is an important component
of the Italian fauna because of its distribution and abundance but little
information is available on its parasitic fauna. In an effort to fill in
this gap necroscopic research was carried out on hedgehogs found dead,
but still in good condition in three areas of our country. In particular,
53 animals came from Emilia Romagna, 39 from Sicily and 34 from Sardinia.
All the main helminthes identified in the
hedgehog were found: Brachylaemus erinacei, Brachylecithum aetechini, Capillaria
erinacei, Capillaria sp., Crenosoma striatum, Dicrocoelium dendriticum,
Gongylonema nitsulescui, Gongylonema sp., Haemonchus contortus, Mesocestoides
sp., Nephridiorhynchus major, Physaloptera clausa, Spirura rytipleurites.
The study was enriched by the comparison
of parasitological data of the three areas investigated. For every parasite
of each area the epidemiological index and the pertinent hierarchy were
examined. In conclusion we have added an evaluation of the species' ability
to distinguish the hosts of a particular geographic area in terms of richness
and diversity.
ABSTRACT 7 DNA footprints of postglacial colonisation routes of European hedgehogs Fiammetta Santucci 1, N.J.Reeve2, P.
Sourrouille1, J. Seddon1, G.Hewitt1
The way in which genetic variation is partitioned
within and between populations from different geographic areas is a product
of both the history and evolution of a species. Thus paleogeographic events
in Europe are expected to have had a great influence on today's species
genetic structure. Phylogeographic studies look to find the relationships
between the present genetic structure of a species and its geographic origin
and history. European hedgehogs belong to the genus Erinaceus, and are
distributed across Europe and two species are recognised, E. europaeus
from western Europe, and E. concolor from eastern Europe.
On the basis of morphological characters
it has long been recognised that each of these two species is partitioned
into several subspecies, but all attempts to discreetly define subspecies
have failed. In this study we constructed a mtDNA phylogeny to investigate
genetic relationships among taxa, possible colonisation routes and the
influence of range contraction/expansion on European hedgehogs.
The analysis of the spatial genetic structure
of the studied populations has shown clear geographic partitioning of the
haplotypes with a considerable divergence between genomes occurring in
different regions of the species range. Maximum parsimony and NJ trees
of Tamura-Nei genetic distances have produced similar topologies, showing
a deep divergence between E. europaeus and E. concolor, and a further subdivision
of each species into a western and an eastern clade. Our findings also
suggest a strong influence of Pleistocene isolation in southern refugia
on the current genetic structure of populations. A detailed analysis of
the pattern of divergence of populations from Northern Europe and their
relationships with the rest of the European populations is presented, and
the implications for colonisation routes are discussed.
ABSTRACT 8 European hedgehog breeding survey and
other recent investigations
Litter sizes of hedgehogs at different
stages of development provide a means for estimating pre-weaning mortality
among nestlings. At the Norway meeting, a request was made for similar
data to be collected from other European countries in the hope that we
might investigate differences in mean litter size with latitude and also
perhaps differences in survival rates. Although observations have been
submitted from several countries, there are problems with statistical analysis
and also with non-comparability of data.
Recent studies of badgers (Meles meles)
in Britain show a significant increase in population density over much
of the country. Data will be presented suggesting that this might represent
a threat to hedgehog numbers in many areas.
Another recent investigation concerns the
potential danger of secondary poisoning caused by hedgehogs eating slugs
which have been killed by agricultural slug pellets that contain methiocarb
as their active ingredient. Methiocarb appears to be a more serious problem
than metaldehyde, the active ingredient of garden slug pellets.
ABSTRACT 9 A review of hedgehog studies in Estonia
1988-1998
In 1988, a second species of hedgehog,
Erinaceus concolor Martin 1838, was discovered in Estonia. Since then,
studies on hedgehogs were carried out in this country until 1996. The more
recent work was mainly conducted by Dr. Matti Masing, but since the closure
of the Estonian Institute of Forestry and Nature Conservation (September
1996), no further hedgehog research has been possible because of a lack
of funding. This paper reviews the main topics of hedgehog research in
Estonia during the past 11 years.
Morphological diagnostics of Estonian hedgehogs. Only a few external characters were known to distinguish between the sibling species of European hedgehogs, Erinaceus europaeus and Erinaceus concolor. Because hedgehogs have been protected in Estonia since 1958 and killing them is forbidden, external diagnostic characters are especially valuable and this is why they have been especially studied in Estonia since 1988 in order to find more diagnostic features to distinguish between both species. In addition to the two morphological characters
previously described (coloration of fur on the breast: Corbet & Ovenden
1982, Görner & Hackethal 1987, Corbet 1988, Holtz & Niethammer
1990; and coloration of fur on the face: Görner & Hackethal 1987)
new characters have been described and partially evaluated (Masing 1990,
1993, 1995, 1996). The new characters include: 1) the shape of upper edge
of the nose tip; 2) the shape of inner solear pad of the forefoot; 3) the
position of anterior edge of the inner solear pad of the forefoot; 4) the
shape of the anterior edge of the solear pad of the hind foot; 5) presence
of white spots on the forefeet; 6) presence of white spots on the hind
feet (Masing 1996). As the detailed diagnostic value of the aforementioned
new characters is still unknown, precise evaluation of those characters
seems to be important work to do in the future.
Geographical distribution of hedgehogs in Estonia Since 1988 when two species of hedgehogs
were known to live in Estonia, a question arose about the distributions
of both species. The first distribution map of both species was published
by Peeter Ernits in 1988, but it is unlikely that reliable distribution
data could have been collected so quickly. There was an obvious need for
further studies to reveal the real distribution patterns in Estonia. Hence,
the "Distribution atlas of Estonian hedgehogs" project was started, in
which new external diagnostic characters have been proposed for easy recognition
of hedgehogs in the field (Masing 1993). The latter project was completed
by 1995 and the results were recently published (Masing,1998).
Monitoring hedgehog populations in Estonia In 1995 monitoring hedgehog populations
was started in Estonia within a National Environment Monitoring Programme
(NEMP). Hedgehogs were included in the project "Monitoring bats and hedgehogs".
This project enabled the simultaneous counting of bats and hedgehogs because
the habitat types of both overlapped and because the counting method was
similar. Line counting on roads (LCR), a modification of the line counting
method (Masing 1997), was used to get monitoring data on hedgehogs (Masing
1996).
Genetic research of Estonian hedgehogs During the Second European Congress of
Mammalogy (in Southampton, UK, 1995), genetic research into European hedgehogs
was discussed. Later in 1995 samples of seven individuals of two hedgehog
species were collected from various parts of Estonia, and then given to
Dr. Nigel Reeve (Roehampton Institute London) for analysis. In early 1998
Dr. Fiammetta Santucci (University of East Anglia) analysed those samples
and found one hybrid individual among the animals collected at Värska,
south-east Estonia. Ten more samples of both species were collected later
in 1998 and sent to Dr. Santucci for analysis. In the same year a proposal
was made to start a project concerning a more detailed DNA analysis of
hedgehogs in Estonia.
ABSTRACT 10 Prickly problems on the Machair: Hedgehogs and their impacts on ground-nesting birds in the Hebrides Digger Jackson
The natural absence of most mammalian ground
predators from the Scottish islands is a boon for ground-nesting birds.
Many of these islands are internationally important for breeding waders,
seabirds and other species. Globally, the impacts on breeding birds of
mammal introductions to islands are well-documented, and there have been
numerous extinctions. In the UK there has been a recent increase in both
research studies and conservation management projects on this topic notably
in relation to brown rats, American mink, and, perhaps surprisingly, hedgehogs.
Although hedgehogs occur naturally throughout mainland UK they are not
native to the Scottish islands. However, over the past century, particularly
in the last three decades, hedgehogs have been introduced to many of the
inhabited islands. This paper describes the role of a recently-introduced
hedgehog population in the rapid decline in breeding wader numbers in the
Uists, Outer Hebrides, Scotland (57o N, 7o W), and predicts what will happen
if no conservation measures are implemented.
The extensive machair grasslands and marshes
(circa 200 km2) of the Uists support the UK's most important concentration
of breeding waders, estimated at circa 17 000 pairs in 1983. The numbers
of dunlin and ringed plover are of particular importance; they comprise
about 25% of the UK breeding totals and they attain nesting densities unsurpassed
elsewhere in the world. In recent years the numbers of dunlin, ringed plover,
snipe and redshank have fallen by over half on islands where hedgehogs
have become established and every year the declines continue.
Research work started in 1996 shows that the wader declines are caused by heavy egg losses resulting in very poor breeding success. Distinctive differences in the signs left by the different predators has allowed the importance of each cause of egg loss to be quantified. Additional evidence was obtained by automatically logging nest temperatures to determine when failure occurred, i.e. during daylight (avian predators) or at night (hedgehog). Egg predation by hedgehogs now accounts
for at least half of all nest failures of dunlin, redshank and snipe. Demographic
modelling of wader numbers shows that the extra egg loss to hedgehogs is
probably sufficient to have created the observed declines. However, hedgehogs
are not the only problem. The severity of egg theft by common gulls, the
most important native predator, has increased in recent years particularly
for ringed plover. The change in breeding success is illustrated by South
Uist dunlin: in the mid 1980s around 75% of pairs hatched young but now
only about 15% do so. Since the mid 1980s numbers of dunlin in South Uist
have fallen from circa 1100 pairs to circa 350 pairs.
Hedgehog population size, habitat use and foraging ecology are being investigated by mark-recapture surveys and tracking techniques (radio-telemetry, beta-lights, and line-and-spool). Average hedgehog densities on machair habitat are circa 50 km-2, and the current population is estimated to be 5000 - 10 000 individuals. Bird eggs are estimated to contribute less than 3% of hedgehog energy requirements in the nesting season and, therefore, it seems that they are unimportant to the hedgehogs. A model to predict wader nest-predation risk based on hedgehog density, foraging behaviour and habitat selection is being developed. The initial findings of this work suggest that, without some form of control, hedgehogs will probably cause the extinction of machair breeding dunlin, and much reduced populations of redshank and snipe. A partnership of statutory, non-governmental
and local organisations is currently being developed to explore possible
conservation measures.
ABSTRACT 11 Studies of released hedgehogs, what
next?
A series of studies has been completed aimed at establishing what happens to rehabilitated hedgehogs after release into the wild following a period of care in captivity. The results are encouraging and suggest that the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and injured hedgehog is not contrary to their welfare interests. Even juvenile hedgehogs, with little or no previous experience of life in the wild, can cope well with release. Unfortunately, it seems that commentators
are incapable of recognising a good news story, and the central message
has been frequently ignored or overlooked in an effort to find fault with
these studies. Recently, attempts have been made to learn more about dispersal
by released hedgehogs. Many are released into urban areas and their fate
remains unknown; future work should address this issue and also the relationship
between dispersal behaviour and source/release habitats.
ABSTRACT 12 Post-Release Monitoring of Hedgehogs
at Lower Moss Wood
The Lower Moss Wood wildlife hospital began
in 1989 with the admission of two fox cubs. As our reputation grew, so
did the number and variety of species. Pigeons topped the admissions list
overall, but hedgehogs were by far the most numerous mammal with the greatest
diversity of injuries, illnesses and tricky situations.
The results of a two-week radio-tracking
study by Pat Morris of three released hedgehogs in Yorkshire raised many
concerns - one animal had lost nearly 35% of its bodyweight in the first
week. For three years we had been releasing hedgehogs in Lower Moss Wood,
a rural 17 acre (7ha) site of diverse mixed woodland habitat. We had assumed
it to be a good release site but the truth was that we did not really know.
So, the 'Hogwatch' project was set up in collaboration with Dr Gillian
Key at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU).
Hedgehogs were classified into 3 categories: 1) injured/sick adults with experience of the wild, 2) over-wintered animals ie. under-weight orphans with limited experience of the wild, 3) hand-reared orphans with no experience
of the wild; this category still needs more research.
In the first (pilot) year, five hedgehogs were released after health checks and the fitting of radio transmitters under veterinary supervision. The first release (19 May 1993) was of three over-wintered females (category 2) which were tracked with the help of MMU students and volunteers. One animal stayed around the wildlife hospital for a few days, then disappeared. She was relocated some weeks later, 3 km (2 miles) away, in a garden where she was being fed cat food by a lady who had contacted the local paper about this strange hedgehog with an aerial attached! A second hedgehog was a little more adventurous, crossing a flooded ditch in the wood several times. After one week she had gained 20g but contact was lost after two weeks. The third female was unfortunately predated by a fox or a badger on the first night. The spines were not eaten and the transmitter was retrieved for future use. Two more hedgehogs were released on 3 June 1993. One, a male, stayed in the wood for the first two weeks, during which he lost 162g, before dispersing to a hay barn a few miles away. The final release was a female who also lost weight in the first two weeks (93g). These weight reductions are probably the loss of surplus fat after relative inactivity in captivity. In 1994, the study expanded to involve
a team of eight MMU students and a post-graduate student. Four students
worked at night, releasing hedgehogs and radio-tracking them where possible.
The animals were fitted with beta lights as a visual aid, and cotton spools
for spool-and-line tracking. Hedgehogs were radio-located every 15 mins
and their positions plotted. Early each morning, the other four students
collected and measured the spool line to plot more precisely the distances
travelled and the habitats used.
Unfortunately, six of the eight hogs released
were lost. Three were predated by the same vixen (with cubs) living in
the wood. A corpse was found outside the earth and a further two signals
were picked up in the same area, probably below ground. The two survivors
were category 1 adult hedgehogs, rather than over-wintered orphans. Such
findings highlight the need for further research into the release of over-wintered
hedgehogs. It is not safe to assume that rehabilitated animals will necessarily
thrive after release. It is impossible to estimate the number of hedgehogs
that meet their end after being looked after and cared for, then released
into a hostile environment. I would imagine it is a high percentage.
In 1995, Hogwatch had only three students
taking part. The hedgehogs were 'soft-released' from portable enclosures
onto a golf course under construction. No hedgehog ever returned to an
enclosure and we decided on hard releases in the future. The new release
site proved to be an excellent choice as most of the hogs lasted the duration
of the study. Nearly all left the golf course, preferring to move to nearby
gardens. This brought the study into direct contact with the general public.
We had previously leafleted all the surrounding villages and had press
releases in the local papers, so most people were pleased to help.
The spooling technique was used again to
give us a greater knowledge of chosen habitat and also to allow us to salvage
any droppings found en route. Furthermore, as part of the previous study
we had set up a "hog poo hotline" asking members of the public to inform
us of any hedgehog droppings on their lawn so we could arrange collection.
This enabled us to compare droppings with those of rehabilitated hedgehogs.
During the 1995 study, Andrew Routh, our veterinary surgeon, when examining the hogs under anaesthetic had noted that most showed signs of plaque and often gingivitis. This may have been a result of the soft cat-food diet that we had provided whilst over-wintering. In 1996 a study involving four students monitored fifteen hedgehogs with the aim of finding an affordable food additive with abrasive qualities to help maintain healthy teeth and gums. The first trial was indoors with individually
housed animals. This was a palatability study to make sure that they would
actually eat the additives. The second trial was a choice test, and in
the words of Dr Key "the results will be no surprise to anyone who has
ever kept hedgehogs. Nine out of ten animals did not mind what they ate
(nose in the first bowl encountered and munch) – the tenth preferred to
roll in it".
To conclude, the Hogwatch project lasted
for four years and answered some key questions. The fact that many of our
charges came to a sticky end did not mean that the study had failed, in
fact I would say the opposite. The valuable information gained has enabled
us to choose safer release sites and has also provided us with information
that we can pass on to other rehabilitators and interested parties. The
cost of equipment is always a drawback when carrying out research, but
it is only a small price if the information gained can be used to improve
the survival rate of the creatures in our care.
I would like to thank Dr Jill Key for all
her expertise in organising the project and training myself and the students,
all the Hogwatch teams throughout the study, Andy Routh for all his expert
advice and veterinary work, Manchester Metropolitan University who gave
financial support as well as providing equipment and students, and Vale
Wildlife Rescue and Anne Cragg on Anglesey for providing hedgehogs. Thanks
also go to Nigel Reeve and Pat Morris for help and written materials supplied.
And last but not least, all the volunteers at Lower Moss Wood who looked
after the animals and cleaned out all the cages.
ABSTRACT 13 Survival and early dispersal of juvenile
hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)
Juvenile hedgehogs were studied by radio telemetry in Trondheim, Norway. The aim of the study was to see if there were any sex differences in dispersal and survival. Twenty five juveniles were marked and followed for four weeks. Weight, home range and dispersal distances were measured. There were no sex differences in dispersal distance, dispersal date or body weight. There were some differences between the litters in dispersal age. Nine juveniles died from predation. Editor's note: Hanne was unable to attend,
but her abstract is included.
ABSTRACT 14 The sex and age of hedgehog traffic
victims
Hedgehog traffic victims occur throughout
their range in north-western Europe. However, not all victims have equal
reproductive value, and the death of certain individuals may pose a greater
threat to the survival of a (local) population than the death of others.
We determined the sex and age of 187 traffic victims. Most traffic victims
proved to be male (70%), probably because adult males (i.e. having survived
2 hibernations) are much more active and have greater home ranges than
females or subadult males (i.e. having survived 1 hibernation). The animals
killed in July and August were mostly adult males. This coincides with
the peak of the mating season when adult males are most active. Subadult
males were relatively abundant early in the season (April-June). This might
be related to dispersal. In autumn (September-October) females were more
numerous than males indicating that females were more active than males.
This is consistent with the fact that many females still suckle their young
in late summer and autumn and therefore must restore more of their fat
reserves before winter than males. The results indicate that the animals
that have the highest reproductive value (adult females) are one of the
groups least affected by traffic mortality. This may explain the persistence
of (local) hedgehog populations despite the high number of traffic victims.
ABSTRACT 15 Incidents adversely affecting the hedgehog
(Erinaceus europaeus), its rescue and rehabilitation in the United Kingdom
St. Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital has for over 20 years been taking in and rehabilitating compromised British wildlife. It now sees about 3000 hedgehogs each year, many of which are the victims of trauma. As a result the Hospital has evolved methods of treatment specifically suitable for hedgehogs. These treatments involve the use of fluid therapy and drugs prescribed by the Hospital's consultant specialist veterinary surgeons. Common injuries will be discussed, including leg, foot, jaw and spinal fractures, skin lesions and head trauma. There are conditions which appear peculiar to hedgehogs like "balloon" and "pop off" syndrome described and named by the author in the early years of the Hospital. These can be treated using simple techniques which will also be discussed. Natural diseases also affect wild hedgehogs in a manner not regularly seen in other species. Those already described include various parasitic and fungal skin conditions; the prevalence of internal parasites particularly in autumn youngsters and the possible effect of high burdens of fleas and ticks. The conditions discussed will be regularly
seen at the Hospital but reference will also be made to ongoing investigations
into blood parameters on release and the spate of paraplegia experienced
by some captive hedgehogs in 1996. Generally the hedgehog is the mammal
most regularly presented for rehabilitation. They respond well to well-tried
methods of treatment and are good candidates for eventual release.
ABSTRACT 16 Therapy of Hedgehogs with Injuries caused
by Fire
Easter- and Midsummernight's fires injure
hedgehogs. Therefore the pathophysiology of injury of respiration with
difficulty and shortness of breathing, shock and CO-poisoning is noted
with the possibilities of therapy. To treat the loss of liquids a substitution
is needed. The therapy of tissue damage caused by heat and skin burns is
discussed, especially the use of soft laser, homeopathy and other natural
methods.
ABSTRACT 17 Hand-rearing orphaned or deserted neonate
or young hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus)
Orphaned or deserted young hedgehogs (urchins) are regularly found by members of the public and are presented at rehabilitation centres for hand-rearing and release. Initially, the public must be advised of strict parameters on when to rescue urchins or when to leave well alone. Other urchins are often presented along with an injured or sick mother. Our experience is that generally sick or injured dams will no longer nurse or suckle their progeny. These potential orphans also have to be hand-reared. Uninjured, but disturbed, hedgehog mothers and their young can be handled sympathetically to ensure that the family is reared naturally to independence. The use of hedgehog foster mothers has proven to be impractical with the adult usually attacking any unrelated young placed in with it. Hedgehog young are born complete with spines
covered by an oedematous layer to protect the mother. They rely on being
able to absorb immunoglobulins for up to 41 days after birth. This has
meant the evolution of a system of hand-rearing providing the immunoglobulins
from a non-hedgehog source. The ability to absorb immunoglobulins leads
to a depression of the acid digestion of solid food offered when hand-rearing
at about 21 days. The use of a digestive enzyme has proven vital to carry
hand-reared urchins past the weaning stage.
The Hospital uses a team of volunteer human
foster mothers for the hand-rearing. These are all trained and equipped
for a strict routine of feeding, toiletting, cleaning and hygiene.
This presentation will discuss the hedgehog
rearing programme at St.Tiggywinkles and the disciplines necessary to rear,
for release, neonate or young orphan hedgehogs.
ABSTRACT 18 A case of salmonella in hedgehogs and
humans
In the south east of Norway, at Jeløy
in Moss, 28 people became ill from Salmonella typhimurium in the autumn
of 1996. The primary patient had been on holiday in Denmark and became
ill two days after his return to Norway. This person continued his job
in a grocery store, working in the fresh meat department for six weeks
with diarrhoea before seeking medical care. Some of the 27 other patients
had bought fresh meat from this store, others had not.
During the same period, in the summer of
1996, Jeløy had an exceptionally high hedgehog density. A lot of
people were feeding these local hedgehogs, which resulted in high hedgehog
concentration in some gardens. The local veterinary surgeon got the idea
that hedgehogs might be a reservoir of salmonella. Faeces from hedgehogs
were collected from five different locations, as well as soil samples from
two gardens. In all but one sample, Salmonella typhimurium was detected.
This lead to the assumption that the hedgehog population at Jeløy
was massively infected. However, it was not clear if there was a link between
the salmonella infections in human and in hedgehogs at Jeløy.
How and when the Salmonella typhimurium
bacteria came to be at Jeløy is still at a hypothetical stage. To
prevent new incidents of salmonella infections in humans, inhabitants of
Jeløy have been advised to stop excessive feeding of hedgehogs.
A continuing research project aims to reveal the status of salmonella in
hedgehogs in Norway.
ABSTRACT 19 The status of Erinaceus europaeus italicus
& Erinaceus (concolor) roumanicus in Italy
In Italy two species of Erinaceus, E. europaeus
and E. concolor are present. This paper reviews data on Italian hedgehogs
from the literature.
Erinaceus europaeus is present throughout
the whole peninsula and on the larger islands; Sicilia, Sardegna, Elba
and Alicudi. There is clear genetic evidence of a subspecies E. europaeus
italicus, but the subspecific status of E. e. consolei from Sicilia is
still unclear. Erinaceus concolor is also a species in which the subspecific
level remains unclear. In Italy there is a eastern form distributed only
in Trentino, Alto Adige and Friuli Venezia Giulia, where it colonises hill
and mountain habitats and is especially associated with woodlands. These
areas were probably occupied in a post-Wurm colonisation, as seems likely
for other species of the Danubian basin that are also found there. The
absence of this hedgehog in the plain could be an effect of the competition
with E. europaeus.
The hedgehog is a fully protected species in the state and its use as a pet is forbidden. Some imported specimens of Hemiechinus auritus were recently sold for this purpose. Few data are available on counts of road casualties there are no data relating to historical trends. Some studies have been published on parasitism and other health problems of the species. This literature survey shows that there
has been too little attention paid to hedgehogs in Italy, with few autoecological
works on ecology and habitat use.
A first account of known natural predation,
mainly from Bubo bubo, is reported as well as the use of hedgehogs as food
in historical and present time in Italy.
Erinaceus europaeus seems to have a good
population level, more or less everywhere in its area of distribution,
but there are no density estimates published. For E. concolor the population
status is unknown as only few distributional data are available.
ABSTRACT 20 Health and Safety - The Carer and The Hedgehog Janet Peto
The number of hedgehog carers grows each year, hedgehogs are one of the few wild animals that can be cared for by members of the general public without specialised facilities. Carers should take care of themselves, eat and sleep properly and only do what their experience and the experience of their vet allows. It is important to talk to and obtain support and advice from other carers. All hedgehogs can carry infection and therefore a good standard of hygiene is important. Whenever handling the animals rubber gloves should be worn, to protect the carer from bacterial and fungal infections, especially ringworm. Carers should ensure that they have tetanus protection and are aware of ticks and the risk of tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease (Borrelia). All centres giving advice or information should be aware of Health and Safety and should advise anyone requesting information on the care of hedgehogs about a few basic rules. All hedgehogs should have a record card/sheet which stays with the animal, from the time it arrives to the time it is released/dies. Such records can be invaluable as a source of reference and will improve your skills/treatments. Well-kept records can also play an important role in providing data for studies of hedgehog health. When a number of hedgehogs are cared for, animals with any infection, especially skin infections, should be placed in the lowest row of cages, so that the contaminated debris does not drop and infect the other animals; non-infectious animals should always be cleaned-out, weighed, fed, etc., first - so the risk of spreading infection is reduced. Also think about the animal itself, they are nocturnal, so try to observe their natural sleep times, clean out early morning or late evening. Remember to clean all work surfaces, scales, gloves, etc. between each hedgehog with a broad-spectrum disinfectant which kills viruses, bacteria, fungi (including spores), eg. VETCIDE 2000 (Millpledge). When preparing to use any chemicals, COSHH information should be read FIRST. Ask all callers WHY they have picked up the animal - some may only need help and support in their own environment. When travelling to collect animals, be cautious, if possible go with someone, if not tell someone where you are going, if possible, take a mobile phone with you. When dealing with the public be professional, appear calm, organised and properly equipped. Do not be frightened to tell the finder of the hedgehog the truth, e.g. it has died or is well enough to be returned to their garden. If you are over-run with hedgehogs or need
a break, talk to other carers. They may be able to help in the short term,
if not, you may have to learn to say no - it is better to do a few hedgehogs
well than a lot badly.
ABSTRACTS OF POSTER PRESENTATIONS
ABSTRACT 21 The first study of the presence of heavy
metals in a sample of Erinaceus europaeus in Northern Italy
In this paper the authors report on the
preliminary results of a research project aimed to determine the accumulation
of heavy metals in Erinaceus europaeus and the possibility that this animal
may be used as a bio-indicator of environmental contamination. Many micro-mammals
are used as tools in such research but until now we have not been able
to find anything regarding the hedgehog.
This insectivorous species can be a good
concentrator of residues present in invertebrates. The hedgehogs live in
agricultural and suburban areas and a lot of specimens become available
for post-mortem study as a result of road accidents, so they can be a very
interesting basis for ecotoxicological studies.
Twenty hedgehog specimens were collected
from the roads in Emilia Romagna, Northern Italy. They were measured and
frozen at -18Ý for some months. Samples of liver, viscera, bones
and muscles from each individual were taken and two methods of analysis
were used. For Pb and Cd the samples were mineralized in a mixture of perchloric
and nitric acid 2/1 V/V and the levels of the metals determined by atomic
absorption spectrophotometry in a Zeeman graphite furnace. For Hg the mineralization
was carried out with sulphonitric mixture and the concentration determined
by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with cool vapours.
Hedgehogs did not seem to accumulate high
levels of heavy metals but it is notable that the differing concentrations
of the metals found do suggest that this species could be a useful and
sensitive tool in environmental impact assessment. The liver samples showed
the best results but an interesting level of variation and differential
accumulation was also found in other organs.
ABSTRACT 22 A sample of casualties and treatment
in Italian hedgehogs
In recent years, people's sensitivity to wild animals has been growing in Italy and a lot of wildlife hospitals are becoming active. Hedgehogs are often taken to these centres by people for a wide range of reasons. In this paper the activities of three rehabilitation centres for wild animals operating in Emilia Romagna (Northern Italy) are summarised. In the last 8 years 132 animals were treated,
presenting with the following pathologies: 7% poisoned, 42% traumatic lesions,
18% parasitic diseases, 4% pyodermatosis, 29% in weakened condition at
the beginning of the winter. This paper describes the pathological, therapeutic
and rehabilitation aspects of these animals.
Also displayed at the
meeting were:
This is an immensely invaluable and comprehensive photographic guide, with explanatory details, to all the major parasites of hedgehogs showing all the relevant stages of their development. Thanks to a translation by Dru Burdon, this guide is also available in English. The photographs are of outstanding quality and may also be ordered as a slide set. The identification of internal parasites
in hedgehogs
A poster showing a selection of pictures
of endoparasites commonly found in hedgehogs.
LIST OF AUTHORS & CONTACT DETAILS All first authors contributing papers are listed in alphabetical order, the abstract number of the relevant paper follows their name in brackets Bontadina, Fabio (4) Arbeitsgemeinschaft
Stadtökologie Zürich, Wuhrstrasse 12, CH-8003 Zürich, Switzerland.
Delogu M. (22) Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria e Patologia Animale, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, Università di Bologna, Italy. Frost, Lisa (17) St. Tiggywinkles, The Wildlife Hospital Trust,, Aston Road, Haddenham, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8AF, UK Tel. +44 (0)1844 292292, Fax. +44 (0)1844 292640 Göransson, Görgen (2) Högskolan i Kalmar (University of Kalmar), Institutionen för Naturvetenskap, Box 905, S-391 29 Kalmar, Sweden. Tel. +46 480 44 62 55, Fax. +46 480 44 62 62 Huijser, Marcel P. (1, 14) Vereniging voor Zoogdierkunde en Zoogdierbescherming (VZZ) (Dutch-Belgian mammal society), Oude Kraan 8, NL-6811 LJ Arnhem, the Netherlands. tel: +31-26-3705318 / +31-320-232314, fax: +31-26-3704038 / +31-320-232314 Jackson, Digger (10) RSPB Scottish HQ, Dunedin House, 25 Ravelston Terr., Edinburgh, EH4 3TP, UK. Tel. +44 (0)131 3116500, Fax.+44 (0)131 3116552 Jackson, Ray (12) Lower Moss Wood Educational Nature Reserve and Wildlife Hospital, School Lane, Ollerton, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 8SJ, UK. Tel. +44 (0)1565 755082 Johansen, Beate S. (18) Norwegian University of Science and Technology TNU , Inst. of Zoology, 7000 Trondheim Kampe, Gundega, (5) Faculty of Biology,
University of Latvia, Kronvalda bulv. 4,
Masing, Matti (9) Sicista Development Centre BOX 53, 38 Anne Street, 50604 Tartu, Estonia. Mickevicius, Edvardas (3) Institute of Ecology, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 2600, Lithuania, Tel. +3702 729488, Fax. +3702 729257 Morris, Pat (8, 11) School of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway College (University of London) Egham, Surrey, TW20 OEX, UK. Tel. +44 (0)1784 443779, Fax. +44 (0)1784 470756, Peto, Janet (20) Hedgehog Welfare, PO Box 1003, Misterton, Doncaster DN10 4JT email: Poglayen, Giovanni. (6) Instituto di Malattie Infettive, Università di Messina, Via S. Cecilia 30, 98 123 Messina, Italy. Tel. 0039 90 2935133, Fax 0039 90 2935850 Rieso-Carlson, Annette (16) Hiddenhauser Str.11, D-32130 Enger, Germany, Tel./Fax. +49 (0)5224 79737 Sæther, Hanne-Mari (13) Edgar B. Scheldropsveg 20 A, 7033 Trondheim, Norway. tel. +47 73943820 Santucci, Fiammetta (7) School of Biological Sciences, University of East Anglia, Norwich NR4 7TJ, UK. Tel.+44 (0)1603 592947, Fax. +44 (0)1603 592250 Stocker, Les (15) St. Tiggywinkles, The Wildlife Hospital Trust, Aston Road, Haddenham, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8AF, UK Tel. +44 (0)1844 292292, Fax. +44 (0)1844 292640 Scaravelli, Dino (19, 21,) Museo di Storia Naturale di Cesena, p. Zangheri 6, 47023 Cesena, Italy. Tel. +39 0547 356443, Fax. +39 0547 356329 SPONSORSHIP We are very grateful indeed for the generosity
of our all sponsors, both large and small. Without their support this workshop
would have been impossible. One sponsor who contributed a very substantial
sum to the conference fund does not wish to be named - but our gratitude
is no less for not being able to name the source. Thank you.
The generous financial support of the following
sponsors is gratefully acknowledged:
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society
contributed a very substantial sum which was used to ensure the attendance
of five speakers from abroad. We are most grateful to the BHPS for their
current and past support. For more information and how to join, contact:
The British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Knowbury House, Knowbury, Ludlow,
Shropshire, SY8 3LQ, UK.
The Wildaid Foundation Trust sponsored
Gundega Kampe from Latvia to attend. For further information about Wildaid
and its activities, contact: Wildaid, Sprinks Lane, Kingsley, Cheadle,
Staffordshire. ST10 2BX, UK. Tel. 01538 754784 Fax.01538 7567002
Perky Pet Foods for sponsoring Nigel
Brocklesby of Hedgehog Care (Lincolnshire) to attend the meeting. Perky
Pet Foods produce Spike's Dinner and Spike's Banquet, For details of these
and more products contact: Perky Pet Foods, 1 Moorland Way, Lincoln, LN6
7JW, UK. Email: spike @perky.co.uk, web site: http://www.perky.co.uk
Millpledge Ltd. Pharmaceuticals for sponsoring
Janet Peto of Hedgehog Welfare to attend the meeting. For product details
contact, Millpledge Ltd, Whinleys Estate, Church Lane, Clarborough, Retford,
Nottinghamshire, DN22 9NA, UK.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We would like to thank the staff of Whitelands
College (Roehampton Institute London) for their support. The Ruskin lecture
theatre and Narthex room provided us with a splendid conference location.
Thanks also to Vic Ruocca, the conference and catering manager at Whitelands
for his efforts on our behalf.
As conference organiser/editor, I (Nigel
Reeve) would like to express my thanks to those EHRG members and friends
who have helped me with this conference. Special thanks are due to my wife
Kati for her support and practical help with the organisation and accounts.
FURTHER INFORMATION SOME KEY HEDGEHOG INTERNET WEBSITES Hedgehog Helpline - a very good British
website with a wide range of valuable information and links. Kay Bullen,
who organises the Hedgehog Helpline, also publishes a quarterly newsletter.
She can be contacted at 5 Foreland Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff CF4 7AR, UK.
Tel. +44 (0)1222 623985. email hedgehg@dircon.co.uk
ProIgel - this excellent site is not just
for German speakers, it also has an English version.
The EHRG website gives you additional information
on the EHRG, the projects
JOINING THE EHRG The benefits: you will receive advance notices of meetings, the current year's conference proceedings, and a contacts list of the scientists and carers of the EHRG. The cost: currently only £5 (or equivalent) per year To join: during 1999, send your contact details to: Dr. Nigel Reeve (Senior Lecturer)
Alternative EHRG contacts (for addresses see list of authors on pp. 24-25): Marcel Huijser Beate Johansen
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