28/10/2024
Tokom 2023 i 2024. godine na putevima u BiH je od strane članova udruženja registriran veliki broj stradalih ježeva i sisara općenito. Ukoliko se ne preduzmu neophodne mjere broj ovih korisnih životinja će se značajno smanjiti s obzirom na razvoj cestovne infrastrukture, povećan broj vozila kao i nekontrolisanog širenja urbanih površina u prirodu. Na žalost sporokrećući organizmi (gdje spada i jež) nisu predmet ozbiljnije analize tokom izrada studija uticaja na okoliš u BiH, niti se za njih razmatraju posebne mjere ublažavanja, iako se bjeloprsi jež nalazi na listi zaštićenih vrsta u FBiH i u RS-u.
Big changes ahead for hedgehog conservation! 🦔
The conservation status of the European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) has been updated from Least Concern to Near Threatened in the latest release of the IUCN Red List. Monitoring efforts indicate that their decline may exceed 30% over the past decade, putting the species at serious risk.
“Unfortunately, evidence points towrds a worrying and widespread downward trend (..) There is still a chance to halt the decline of the Western European hedgehog, and we must aim to prevent any further worsening of status,” explained Abi Gazzard, Programme Officer at IUCN SSC Small Mammal Specialist Group member (follow ).
Once abundant across Europe, the West European hedgehog now faces a rapidly shrinking population. Urban development, agricultural expansion and road infrastructure have fragmented the hedgehog’s habitat, while vehicle collisions, the use of pesticides, and poorly managed gardens continue to reduce their numbers.
“This decline will likely come as no surprise to the average person. When hedgehogs come up in conversation, it’s not long before someone says that they just don’t see them anymore,” said Hope Nothhelfer, Communications Officer at the Mammal Society.
We are calling on the public to contribute to hedgehog monitoring efforts by recording sightings through the Mammal Mapper app, and by joining forces with other nature champions through a local mammal groups. Collecting this data will help inform conservation strategies and focus protective measures in critical areas.
Empowering conservationists, students, citizen scientists and nature champions to play a key role in grassroots conservation now and in the future ensures a bright future for mammals.
