Researchers in Galway are asking city residents to report hedgehog sightings, as part of an ongoing study into the lives and habitats of the mammals.
The All Ireland Hedgehog survey was launched in 2020 and has already recorded more than 7,000 reports from around the country.
Now, scientists at the University of Galway are hoping to find out more about the habits of hedgehogs living in urban areas.
Using data gathered in recent years, they've identified a number of locations where there’s evidence of active populations.
The researchers are asking people in the Renmore, Mervue and Rahoon areas of Galway to sign up for the latest stage of their investigations.
Elaine O’Riordan from the University’s School of Natural Sciences says the targeted survey will try to ascertain why the hedgehogs select these suburbs and determine how they interact with householders.
"We want to look at the gardens and talk to people in these areas to learn more about how hedgehogs are using gardens and estates and how people are interacting with them."
Urban gardens and parks are described as very important habitats for the mammals. And while the numbers present in rural areas in some countries has fallen in recent years, it seems the decline is slower in towns and cities, where gardens and green areas provide some kind of refuge.
Since the survey began three years ago, almost half of all sightings have been in gardens.
For the Hedgehogs in the City project, the researchers are asking people from the three areas in question to take part in an online survey to gather information about what kind of gardens they have to determine whether hedgehogs use them.
The survey can be found at www.irishhedgehogsurvey.com
Later in the summer, scientists hope to visit some gardens to search for hedgehogs, using wildlife cameras and footprint tunnels.
