Don’t squash the hedgehogs
An NGO is encouraging motorists to be cautious after receiving a large number of reports that hedgehogs had been squashed by cars.
Nature Trust Malta is embarking on a campaign to raise awareness about hedgehogs, similar to the one it ran in the early 1980s.
Hedgehogs are nocturnal animals that usually have their young between May and October and who freeze when they see bright lights, such as vehicle headlights. Nature Trust asked drivers to be on the lookout for them in areas such as Buskett, Żurrieq, Pembroke and Mosta, where they are common.
The NGO also urged local councils in such areas to follow the example of Pembroke council and put up road signs to warn drivers about the presence of hedgehogs.
The hedgehog is a protected species in Malta.
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Franco Farrugia
Feb 14th 2011, 20:06
The Government should help NGOs to carry out PR exercises, especially on the media, in favour of these issues. Appropriate traffic signs should also be available. Abroad, some time ago, I saw a traffic sign warning motorists of cats crossing the road - because there was this small garden in which neighbours were looking after a cat-colony. But these are zones that are civilised!
J Farrugia
Feb 13th 2011, 10:49
I pass through the road leading from Zebbiegh to Bidnija everyday, either at night or early morning. In the past seven months I have been able to spot two hedgehogs squashed every day. This means that over 700 hedgehogs are road killed in this street alone. Thus I urge Nature Trust to include this zone in the campaign, and the local council of the area to put up signs as in Pembroke.
George Mifsud
Feb 13th 2011, 10:44
People should take care not to run over hedgehogs in all 'country roads'. At this particular time of the year, hedgehogs will be waking up from their hibernation and will be extremely hungry and love lorn - looking for potential mates. They do not consider roads/lanes to be exclusive to motorists, but only as part of their territory to be competely explored. So please let us take care of these creatures. Not only are they cute, but they are also very important to our ecosystem in that they control vermin rendering them extremely farmer/gardener friendly.
Chrissey Zammit
Feb 13th 2011, 10:12
Hedgehogs protected !!!! Glad to hear.I did not think any animal was protected in Malta.When you see the pain & suffering of some dogs,cats & birds on the island
Bernard Storace
Feb 13th 2011, 10:07
Well done Nature Trust. As it happens I have also come across two run over hedgehogs in Gozo. Do you think you could include our fair Isle in your campaign and let's give the Gozitan hedgehog a chance of survival too?
Lorraine Barbara
Feb 13th 2011, 09:49
Please also be aware that there are many in Wardija too, we need to take care anywhere there is countryside.