Lawn mowers pose a threat to hedgehogs at night due to their ability to cause harm or even kill these small mammals. - Deadly Threat from Harvesting Robots for Hedgehogs: A Consideration of the Dangers
Mowing Robots and Hedgehog Protection: A Growing Concern in Germany
As spring arrives, so does the routine of lawn care, with many homeowners employing mowing robots for assistance. However, these devices pose a significant threat to hedgehogs, especially at night when they are most active. This has prompted calls for a nighttime driving ban on mowing robots from the BUND in Baden-Württemberg and the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research.
Hedgehogs are particularly vulnerable due to their nocturnal nature and lack of flight capabilities. Instead of running away, they curl up when threatened, making them easy targets for the sharp blades of mowing robots. According to Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) data, from the end of June 2022 to the end of October 2023, researchers documented 370 cases of injured or killed hedgehogs nationwide, with almost half not surviving their injuries.
Mowing robots have been unable to recognize hedgehogs in tests, with 16 of 19 models resulting in injuries. Studies conducted in Denmark and supported by German manufacturers Husqvarna, Gardena, and Stihl have shown this. New tests in Germany by Leibniz-IZW's industry partner Crashtest-Service GmbH (CTS) are underway, using hedgehog dummies in standardized safety tests to assess the devices' safety for these animals.
Garden equipment manufacturer Stihl acknowledges the risk mowing robots pose to hedgehogs. They have taken steps to reduce the risk, such as not providing night activation in preset mowing plans and warning users against nighttime activation to protect nocturnal animals. The current Stihl mowing robots are equipped with ultrasound sensors to help them detect obstacles such as hedgehogs.
Despite these efforts, none of the mowing robots have demonstrated "hedgehog-friendliness," according to expert Anne Berger. The most promising devices are those that use AI image recognition or a combination of laser or ultrasound.
Some communities in Germany, such as Erfurt and Mainz, have introduced night driving bans for mowing robots to protect hedgehogs and other nocturnal animals. However, the absence of a nationwide ban remains a subject of debate. The federal government advocated for a reform of the Animal Protection Act that would include a ban on mowing at dusk and night on non-economically used lawn and green areas. However, this reform was not implemented.
For a more wildlife-friendly garden, conservationists recommend excluding mowing robots from part of the garden and allowing the grass to grow tall. High grass provides refuge for hedgehogs and other nocturnal wildlife and promotes biodiversity. The BUND encourages reconsidering the need for mowing robots altogether.
Although there is no nationwide ban on mowing robots in Germany at present, local recommendations and guidelines aim to protect hedgehogs. Homeowners should operate mowing robots during daylight hours to minimize the risk of injury to these vulnerable creatures.
- To safeguard the environmental-science aspect and promote a lifestyle more beneficial for wildlife, the BUND advocates for homeowners to follow community policies that recommend excluding mowing robots from parts of the garden and adopting vocational training techniques in gardening to allow grass to grow tall, thus providing refuge for hedgehogs and other nocturnal wildlife.
- To mitigate the threat posed by mowing robots to hedgehogs in the realm of science, studies are being conducted, including tests using hedgehog dummies in standardized safety tests, to assess the devices' safety and to develop more "hedgehog-friendly" models through advancements in AI image recognition and a combination of laser or ultrasound technology, signifying a crucial need for continued vocational training in this sector.
