# Badger predation may be driving Britain’s hedgehog decline, article argues

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-ruthless-black-and-white-menace-thats-the-real-reason-you-never-see-mrs-tiggy-winkle-in-your-garden-anymore/
- Published: 2026-10-29T23:33:26+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T23:47:15+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16250963/The-ruthless-black-white-menace-thats-real-reason-you-never-Mrs-Tiggy-Winkle-garden-anymore.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: World

## Key points

- The article identifies badgers as the main driver of hedgehog decline.
- It says hedgehog numbers may have roughly halved, not fallen 97 per cent.
- Kew Gardens is cited as a local example of the pattern.

## Summary

The article argues that badgers are the main reason Britain’s hedgehog numbers have declined, challenging the more commonly cited causes of traffic, pesticides and habitat loss. It says the issue matters because hedgehogs are popular garden visitors and eat pests, while arguing that conservation debate has overlooked evidence of predation by badgers.

The article says hedgehog numbers may have roughly halved, with most of the decline occurring since the 1990s; it disputes the often repeated claim that they have fallen by 97 per cent. It points to Kew Gardens, where hedgehogs disappeared as badger numbers rose, and reports 50 to 75 badgers living in 35 to 40 setts across its 300 acres. The account presents these patterns as evidence for its argument, while acknowledging that roads, pesticides and habitat changes can also affect hedgehogs.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.