Hedgehogs, the small spiky mammals often seen in gardens, are in danger of disappearing. Many die because of cars, pesticides, or garden fences that block their way. In France, Sarah Stole is trying to save them by teaching people how to make their gardens safe. She suggests leaving water and kibbles (not bread or milk) and keeping leaves and logs for shelter. In the UK, “hedgehog highways” connect gardens through small holes in fences, helping them move and survive. When people find injured hedgehogs, they can call rescue centers. One such center near Paris cares for around 120 hedgehogs every year. Sadly, their average lifespan has dropped to only two years — too short for reproduction. Scientists warn that if nothing changes, hedgehogs could vanish by 2050. However, British researchers are using satellite images and artificial intelligence to locate hedgehog habitats and protect them. This new technology may even be available on mobile phones soon, offering hope for saving hedgehogs and many other wild species.
Vocabulary:
• hedgehog (noun): a small animal with sharp spines on its back.
• pesticide (noun): a chemical used to kill insects that harm plants.
• shelter (noun): a safe place that protects from danger or bad weather.
• fence (noun): a barrier or wall around a garden or field.
• rescue (verb): to save someone or something from danger.
• lifespan (noun): the length of time an animal or person lives.
• reproduce (verb): to have babies or make new individuals.
• species (noun): a group of living things that are similar and can reproduce.
• habitat (noun): the natural place where an animal lives.
• technology (noun): tools, machines, or systems created to solve problems.
Source: France24