Hi BoyePeter,
I’m not sure which survey you’re referring to but I think from my perspective, having a public database of hedgehog sightings is, on balance, a good thing. Knowing that hedgehogs are living in an area provides an added impetus for many residents to take note and become more engaged. This is important because for the most part, hedgehogs will go unsighted by unassuming residents and will therefore be off the radar. If they’re known about, this helps people to think twice before installing impenetrable fencing or being over-zealous in clearing vegetation from their gardens. Likewise they may be more inclined to put out food and water to attract what should be a very endearing and welcome form of wildlife. I do understand your trepidation about people taking the opposite view, however, I firmly believe that those who would actually seek to harm or deliberately obstruct hedgehogs are a very small minority. Granted, many may be indifferent towards them but certainly not actively hostile. We need to be doing all we can to raise awareness about the plight of these creatures and having a public database of recorded sightings does, I believe, help to engage people in our conservation efforts.
