Controversy Elicits Discussion on Prohibiting Night Driving with Lawn Mowers Causing Hedgehog Fatalities - Workers' Ionising Radiation Safety Proposal Request for Commission Consideration
Rise in Hedgehog Injuries and Calls for Night Ban on Mowing Robots
Gardens across Germany are now home to mowing robots, designed to maintain the lawn effortlessly. However, these devices pose a significant threat to hedgehogs, as they fail to move away at night and instead curl up, according to state animal welfare officer Julia Stubenbord in Baden-Württemberg. This has resulted in an increased number of injured hedgehogs.
In response, the BUND in Baden-Württemberg and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) have called for a night driving ban for mowing robots. Some cities, such as Cologne, Mainz, and soon Erfurt, have already implemented such restrictions.
Data from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, published in 2024, reveals that between the end of June 2022 and the end of October 2023, 370 cases of cut injuries in hedgehogs were documented across the country by rescue stations. Nearly half of the found and reported hedgehogs (47%) did not survive the injury. Additionally, many injured or killed animals go unreported, as those capable of moving seek shelter in hedges and bushes.
Approximately 60% of injured hedgehogs were found days or even weeks after the incident, reported Anne Berger from Leibniz-IZW. These animals likely suffered significantly for extended periods.
The decline in hedgehog populations is not solely due to mowing robots. The modern agricultural landscape and tidy gardens provide inadequate habitats for these animals, while many are affected by vehicular accidents or experience food shortages due to the rapid decline in insects.
The European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) was listed on the precautionary list of the Red List in Germany, and it is classified as "potentially threatened" on the international Red List of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).
Technological advancements, such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) integration, aim to improve the obstacle avoidance and navigation capabilities of mowing robots, potentially reducing the risk of accidents involving wildlife. The implementation of night driving bans, crash tests, and safety measures is being explored to minimize the risk of accidents affecting hedgehogs during their active hours.
- To mitigate the rising injuries and deaths among hedgehogs due to the increasing use of mowing robots, the environmental-science community recommends implementing night driving bans for these devices, as science suggests that hedgehogs are particularly vulnerable during nighttime.
- In an effort to protect the environment and promote the health and wellbeing of wildlife, such as the European hedgehog, it is essential for local communities to adopt environmentally-friendly gardening practices and lifestyle choices, ensuring home-and-garden areas support biodiversity and provide suitable habitats for wildlife, including hedgehogs.
