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 | | From: | J Smytje | | Subject: | Spare a thought - Uist Hedgehog rescue | | Date: | Fri, 17 Dec 2004 12:41:30 +0000 |
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 | http://www.advocatesforanimals.org.uk/campaigns/wild/hedgehogs/uist08.html
Uist Hedgehog rescue
Summer 2004
Uist Hedgehog Rescue (UHR) is the coalition of animal groups working
together to rescue and relocate hedgehogs from the Uists and Benbecula
to the mainland. The rescue has been made necessary due to Scottish
Natural Heritage's (SNH) decision to kill the hedgehogs. UHR has
consistently agreed that the Uists internationally important breeding
populations of wading birds need to be protected. However, we believe
that instead of killing the hedgehogs, they should simply be moved
live to the mainland. In that way we can save both the waders and the
hedgehogs.
In Spring 2004, UHR rescued 181 hedgehogs, which have been safely
relocated to the mainland and released into suitable sites to live out
their lives. This is in addition to the 156 rescued last year.
World hedgehog experts support UHR Hugh Warwick, an independent
ecologist who visited the Uists last spring, gave a presentation at a
meeting of the European Hedgehog Research Group held in April. The
majority of those present signed the following statement:
"We recognise the need for the Uist wader population to be protected.
And to that end, we accept the need for hedgehogs to be removed from
the islands. However, the undersigned attendees of the European
Hedgehog Research Group conference, including many of the world's
leading experts in hedgehog ecology and behaviour, call for Scottish
Natural Heritage to halt the cull of hedgehogs on the Uists. And, in
view of the published scientific studies that indicate that hedgehog
translocation can be undertaken successfully, we call on SNH to
support the efforts of those wishing to translocate the hedgehogs in a
careful and well-monitored manner."
Mr Warwick stressed:
"This statement is not simply a sentimental response to the events
currently unfolding in the Hebrides, but is based on our collective
expertise and a genuine concern that relevant scientific evidence may
be being ignored."
Dr Valerie Keeble, Chief Executive of People's Trust for Endangered
Species, said:
"We feel that it is very encouraging that members of the wider
scientific community agree with our opinion that the relocation of the
Uist hedgehogs may be a viable alternative to a mass cull."
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